Essay On Freedom Struggle for Class 6
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There was a heartfelt beginning to the freedom struggle. Men who are known for their peaceful methods such as Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and many others started spreading the word to the people that everyone must be passionate about gaining freedom.
When news of World War I broke out, the British declared that Indians would be fighting for them against Germany. A large number of Indian soldiers served abroad. When the war came to an end, the British imposed stricter legislation in India to curb those people they felt were political extremists.
To make up for the expenses incurred during the war, the British imposed higher taxes on Indians and even disrupted trade. Indian soldiers in the meantime smuggled arms into India to overthrow the British.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
While all hope was diminishing, emerged a man whom the country began to revere, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the freedom struggle.
Gandhi was a leader in South Africa during the anti-apartheid movement. He advocated the policy of Satyagraha and civil disobedience. Mahatma Gandhi as he was known, inspired millions to follow his path. His vision took the freedom struggle to the national level.
The Rowlatt Act
In 1919 an Act was passed which allowed the government the right to silence the press, arrest political activists or anyone they felt suspicious and keep them in prison without a trial. This Act was called the Rowlatt Act, also notoriously known as the Black Act.
The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy
On April 13, the British led by General Dyer massacred hundreds of unarmed civilians, including women and children, who were attending a meeting. This incident is known as the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy in Amritsar, which triggered off nation-wide hatred for the British rule.
Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to this tragedy. He called for the boycott of British educational institutions and courts. He urged the people to refuse to pay taxes and forsake British titles or honours. This was a serious problem for the Government.
In 1920, a new, reorganized Congress was formed with freedom as their only goal. It is here where some of our most prominent leaders emerged, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Vallabhai Patel to name a few.
Complete Independence
These new leaders called for complete independence from the British and threatened nation-wide civil disobedience. Gandhi embarked on a march of about 400 kilometers from Ahmedabad to Dandi famously known as the ‘Salt Satyagraha’ or the ‘Dandi March’. This was to protest against British taxes on salt, and at Dandi, the law was broken by making their own salt from seawater.
The British responded by making wide-spread arrests and firing on the crowds. Gandhi too, was sent to jail a number of times.
Freedom fighters were people who sacrificed their lives selflessly for the freedom of their country. Every country has its fair share of freedom fighters. People look up to them in terms of patriotism and love for one’s country. They are considered the epitome of patriotic people.
Freedom fighters made sacrifices which one cannot even imagine of doing for their loved ones, leave alone the country. The amount of pain, hardships, and opposite they have endured cannot be put into words. The generations after them will always be indebted to them for their selfless sacrifices and hard work