History · General Awareness

The Indian Freedom Struggle

Nearly every exam tests this — here's the full timeline

India's struggle for independence spanned nearly a century — from the first major uprising in 1857 to independence in 1947 — moving from scattered regional resistance to a coordinated, nationwide movement.

Timeline of Key Events

Year	Event
1857	Revolt of 1857 — India's first major uprising against British rule
1885	Indian National Congress founded by A.O. Hume
1905	Partition of Bengal sparks the Swadeshi Movement
1919	Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar
1920	Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi
1930	Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha)
1942	Quit India Movement launched
1947	India gains independence on August 15

Key Facts

• The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the First War of Indian Independence
• The Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay in 1885
• The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on Baisakhi Day, April 13, 1919, under General Dyer's orders
• The Dandi March covered roughly 240 miles over 24 days, protesting the British salt tax
• The Quit India Movement's slogan was "Do or Die"
• India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, delivered the famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech at midnight on August 15, 1947

Exam angle: Questions frequently ask about the years of key events, the leaders associated with each movement, and specific details like where events took place. The 1857-1947 timeline is worth memorizing in order.

15 Practice Questions

1. In which year did the Revolt of 1857 take place?

A. 1847    B. 1857    C. 1867    D. 1877

Answer: B. 1857

2. Who founded the Indian National Congress?

A. Mahatma Gandhi    B. A.O. Hume    C. Jawaharlal Nehru    D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Answer: B. A.O. Hume

3. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?

A. 1875    B. 1885    C. 1895    D. 1905

Answer: B. 1885

4. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 led to which movement?

A. Quit India Movement    B. Swadeshi Movement    C. Non-Cooperation Movement    D. Civil Disobedience Movement

Answer: B. Swadeshi Movement

5. Where did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre take place?

A. Delhi    B. Lahore    C. Amritsar    D. Lucknow

Answer: C. Amritsar

6. In which year did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occur?

A. 1909    B. 1919    C. 1929    D. 1939

Answer: B. 1919

7. Who launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920?

A. Subhas Chandra Bose    B. Mahatma Gandhi    C. Bhagat Singh    D. Sardar Patel

Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi

8. The Dandi March was a protest against which British policy?

A. Land tax    B. Salt tax    C. Income tax    D. Import duty

Answer: B. Salt tax

9. In which year did the Dandi March take place?

A. 1920    B. 1930    C. 1940    D. 1942

Answer: B. 1930

10. What was the slogan of the Quit India Movement?

A. Do or Die    B. Freedom is our Birthright    C. Swaraj is my Right    D. Inquilab Zindabad

Answer: A. Do or Die

11. In which year was the Quit India Movement launched?

A. 1940    B. 1941    C. 1942    D. 1943

Answer: C. 1942

12. On what date did India gain independence?

A. August 15, 1947    B. January 26, 1947    C. August 15, 1950    D. October 2, 1947

Answer: A. August 15, 1947

13. Who delivered the "Tryst with Destiny" speech?

A. Mahatma Gandhi    B. Sardar Patel    C. Jawaharlal Nehru    D. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: C. Jawaharlal Nehru

14. The Revolt of 1857 is also known as:

A. The Great Rebellion    B. The First War of Indian Independence    C. The Sepoy Uprising Only    D. The Bengal Revolt

Answer: B. The First War of Indian Independence

15. Approximately how many miles did the Dandi March cover?

A. 100 miles    B. 150 miles    C. 240 miles    D. 300 miles

Answer: C. 240 miles

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