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InsightHorizon Digest

Who led the Indian independence movement

Author

Isabella Browning

Updated on March 23, 2026

The long-awaited agreement ended 200 years of British rule and was hailed by Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi

Who led the Indian independence Day movement?

The last stages of the self-rule struggle from the 1920s were characterized by Congress’s adoption of Gandhi’s policy of non-violence and civil disobedience. Nationalists like Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and Bagha Jatin preached armed revolution to achieve self-rule.

When was India's first Independence Day?

History of India’s Independence Day Jawaharlal Nehru declared India’s independence on August 15, 1947, and swore in as the 1st Indian Prime Minister. The British House of Commons passed the Indian Independence Bill on July 4, 1947, and it was passed within a fortnight.

What led up to the Indian independence movement?

Although unrest at colonial rule existed long before, the Indian independence movement gained momentum after the First World War. Mahatma Gandhi led the revolt against oppressive British rule and organised passive-resistance campaigns.

What were the two main reasons that the British granted independence to India?

  • Growing Indian nationalism. India had always been made up of a collection of princely states, many of which were rivals. …
  • The INC and Home Rule. …
  • Gandhi and Quit India Movement. …
  • The Second World War.

Who started British rule in India?

This system of governance was instituted on 28 June 1858, when, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the rule of the British East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person of Queen Victoria (who, in 1876, was proclaimed Empress of India).

Who is the 1st president of India?

Rajendra Prasad, (born December 3, 1884, Zeradei, India—died February 28, 1963, Patna), Indian politician, lawyer, and journalist who was the first president of the Republic of India (1950–62).

Why did the British want India?

The British East India Company came to India as traders in spices, a very important commodity in Europe back then as it was used to preserve meat. Apart from that, they primarily traded in silk, cotton, indigo dye, tea and opium.

Who is the first woman minister of independent India?

After India’s independence, Amrit Kaur became part of Jawaharlal Nehru’s first Cabinet; she was the first woman to hold Cabinet rank, serving for ten years. She was assigned the Ministry of Health.

What is the capital of India?

New Delhi, national capital of India. It is situated in the north-central part of the country on the west bank of the Yamuna River, adjacent to and just south of Delhi city (Old Delhi) and within the Delhi national capital territory.

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Who is 2nd President of India?

Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, is the only person to have held office for two terms.

Who is chief minister of India?

State (past chief ministers)NamePartyAndhra Pradesh (list)Y. S. Jagan Mohan ReddyYSR Congress PartyArunachal Pradesh (list)Pema KhanduBharatiya Janata PartyAssam (list)Himanta Biswa SarmaBihar (list)Nitish KumarJanata Dal (United)

When did British Empire start in India?

1858: Beginning of the Raj In 1858, British Crown rule was established in India, ending a century of control by the East India Company.

What was the name of independent India?

Union of India• 1947–1950Jawaharlal NehruLegislatureConstituent AssemblyHistory• Independence and dominion15 August 1947

Who is the first lady chief minister?

The first female to become chief minister was Sucheta Kripalani of the Indian National Congress party, who sworn in on 2 October 1963 as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Who is the first educational minister of India?

National Education Day (India) an annual observance in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India, who served from 15 August 1947 until 2 February 1958. National Education Day of India is celebrated on 11 November every year in India.

Who found India?

Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar Coast. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, in July 1497, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and anchored at Malindi on the east coast of Africa.

Who was named the ruler of India in 1857?

Explanation: During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the rebel sepoys seized Delhi and proclaimed the Mughal Bahadur Shah II as Badishah-e-Hind, or Emperor of India.

What is the full form is India?

India is not an acronym. So, it doesn’t have any full form. India is a South Asian country. … The name India is derived from the word Indus which itself derived from the old Persian word Hindu, from Sanskrit Sindhu. Indus is also the name of a river.

What are the 7 territories?

  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Chandigarh.
  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
  • Daman and Diu.
  • Delhi (National Capital Territory)
  • Lakshadweep.
  • Puducherry.

What is the language of India?

Article 343 of the Indian Constitution stated that the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagari script, with official use of English to continue for 15 years from 1947.

Who is the first female President of India?

Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan administering the oath of office to new President Pratibha Patil. December 19, 1934, is the 12th President of India. She is the first woman and the first Maharashtrian to hold this post.

Who is our 16th President of India?

№President (birth–death)TenureTook office16Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918–1999)25 July 199217K. R. Narayanan (1920–2005)25 July 199718A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015)25 July 2002

Who is no prime minister of Narendra Modi?

listen); born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current prime minister of India since 2014.

Who appoints the governor?

The Governor of a State is appointed by the President for a term of five years and holds office during his pleasure. Only Indian citizens above 35 years of age are eligible for appointment to this office. Executive power of the State is vested in Governor.

Who is the India Governor?

State (past gov)NameAppointed byAndhra Pradesh (list)Biswabhusan HarichandanRam Nath KovindArunachal Pradesh (list)B. D. MishraAssam (list)Jagdish MukhiBihar (list)Phagu Chauhan

How many states are there in India?

States and Union Territories The system of government in states closely resembles that of the Union. There are 28 states and 8 Union territories in the country. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him/her.

How did the British Raj start?

The British Raj refers to the period of British rule on the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947. The system of governance was instituted in 1858 when the rule of the East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person of Queen Victoria.