Given your short preparation time, here is a concise, high-yield note designed for an MCQ-based exam like the OSSSC Combined Recruitment Examination. We will focus on the key events, people, and dates that are most likely to be asked.
High-Yield Notes: The Indian Freedom Struggle (1857-1947)
The best way to remember this chapter is by breaking it into phases.
Phase 1: The Revolt of 1857
This is often called the First War of Independence.
Immediate Cause: The introduction of Enfield rifles with cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
First Martyr: Mangal Pandey refused to use the cartridges and was executed.
Key Centers and Leaders (Very Important for Matching Questions):
Delhi: Bahadur Shah Zafar (last Mughal emperor)
Kanpur: Nana Saheb
Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai
Outcome: The revolt was suppressed. The rule of the East India Company ended, and India came directly under the British Crown in 1858.
Phase 2: Rise of Nationalism & Indian National Congress (INC)
Formation of INC (1885):
Founded by: Allan Octavian (A.O.) Hume, a retired British civil servant.
First Session: Held in Bombay in 1885.
First President: W.C. Bonnerjee.
Era of Moderates (1885-1905):
Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji (known as the 'Grand Old Man of India'), Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
Method: They believed in petitions and constitutional reforms.
Phase 3: Partition of Bengal & Rise of Extremists (1905-1915)
Partition of Bengal (1905):
Done by: Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India.
Reason Given: For administrative convenience.
Real Reason: To divide Hindus and Muslims and weaken the nationalist movement.
Swadeshi Movement (1905):
Started as a protest against the Partition.
It involved the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian goods (Swadeshi).
Era of Extremists:
Leaders: Lal-Bal-Pal (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal).
Slogan: Bal Gangadhar Tilak famously said, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!"
Surat Split (1907): The INC split into Moderates and Extremists during its session in Surat.
Annulment of Partition (1911): The British government cancelled the partition of Bengal.
Phase 4: The Gandhian Era (1917-1947) - MOST IMPORTANT
This is the most frequently tested period. Focus on the chronological order.
1917 - Champaran Satyagraha: Gandhi's first Satyagraha in India. He supported the indigo farmers in Champaran, Bihar.
1919 - Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
Rowlatt Act: Allowed the British to arrest anyone without a trial.
Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar): A peaceful crowd gathered to protest the Act. General Dyer ordered his troops to fire on the unarmed crowd, killing hundreds.
1920 - Non-Cooperation Movement:
Gandhi launched a nationwide movement to boycott British government, courts, schools, and goods.
End of the Movement (1922): Gandhi called it off due to the Chauri Chaura incident, where a mob burned a police station, killing policemen.
1928 - Simon Commission:
A commission sent from Britain to suggest constitutional reforms.
It was boycotted by Indians with the slogan "Simon Go Back" because it had no Indian members.
1929 - Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence):
At the Lahore Session of the INC, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, the resolution for Complete Independence was passed.
1930 - Civil Disobedience Movement & Dandi March:
Also known as the Salt Satyagraha.
Gandhi marched from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi to break the British Salt Law. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
1942 - Quit India Movement:
Launched during World War II, it was the final call for British withdrawal.
Gandhi gave the famous slogan: "Do or Die". The movement is also known as the August Kranti.
1947 - Mountbatten Plan & Indian Independence Act:
Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, proposed the plan for the partition of India and Pakistan.
The Indian Independence Act was passed, and India became independent on August 15, 1947.
How to Use This Note for Your Exam:
Focus on the Chronology: Understand the order of events. Questions are often asked like "Arrange these events in the correct order."
Memorize Key People: Match the leader to the movement (e.g., Gandhi - Non-Cooperation, Tilak - Swaraj, Lord Curzon - Partition of Bengal).
Remember the Dates & Locations: Especially for INC sessions (1929 Lahore), Jallianwala Bagh (1919 Amritsar), and the Dandi March (1930).
Solve MCQs: After reading this note 2-3 times, immediately find and solve at least 50-100 MCQs on the Indian Freedom Struggle. This will lock the information in your memory.