Key Personalities

A. Early Life and Education

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on 22 May 1772 in Radhanagar, Hooghly District, Bengal, into a Rarhi Brahmin family. His father Ramkanta was a Vaishnavite, while his mother Tarini Devi belonged to a Shaivite family.

B. Religious and Social Reform

C. Political and Economic Views

• Among the first to estimate the "Drain of Wealth" to England.
• Condemned oppressive zamindari practices; demanded fixation of maximum rents.
• Advocated Indianisation of services.
• Supported separation of executive and judiciary.

D. Legacy

• Given the title "Raja" by Mughal Emperor Akbar II.
• Sent as envoy to England in 1830.
• Known as the "Father of Indian Renaissance" and "Maker of Modern India".
• Laid foundation for later social reform movements.

A. Early Life and Spiritual Quest

Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863 in Calcutta. He studied at Scottish Church College, Calcutta, where he was exposed to Western philosophy and history.

B. Parliament of World’s Religions (1893)

C. Ramakrishna Mission (1897)

Key Principles

• Renunciation and Service as twin ideals.
• Work as Worship.
• Universal Brotherhood.
• Social Service as spiritual discipline.

D. Activities of Ramakrishna Mission

E. Legacy

• Asserted India's spiritual greatness before the West.
• Inspired nationalists like Subhash Chandra Bose and Aurobindo Ghosh.
• 12 January celebrated as National Youth Day in India.
• Ramakrishna Mission remains a respected philanthropic organization.

A. Early Life and Influences

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was born on 17 October 1817 in Delhi into a family closely associated with the Mughal court. He witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire and the Revolt of 1857, which deeply influenced his outlook.

B. The Aligarh Movement

The Aligarh Movement aimed to introduce modern Western scientific education among Indian Muslims in the late 19th century.

C. Social Reform Agenda

D. Writings and Journals

E. Political Stance

• Advocated loyalty to British rule after 1857 for Muslim progress.
• Opposed early Indian National Congress; advised Muslims to prioritize education.
• His ideas later contributed to Muslim political consciousness.

F. Legacy

• Modernized and uplifted the Muslim community through education.
• Aligarh Muslim University remains a premier institution.
• Created a modern Muslim middle class.
• Laid foundation for Muslim political identity in India.

A. Early Life and Turning Point

Jyotirao Phule was born on 11 April 1827 in Satara district, Maharashtra, into a Mali (Shudra) family.

B. Social Activism

1. Education for All

2. Women’s Welfare

3. Satyashodhak Samaj (1873)

C. Views on Religion and Caste

D. Key Writings

E. Legacy and Honours

F. Relationship with National Movement

• Criticized early Indian National Congress as elitist.
• Testified before Education Commission (1882) demanding compulsory primary education.
• Laid foundation for Dalit & non-Brahmin politics in India.

Early Life and South Africa (1893–1914)

• Trained as a barrister in London.
• Went to South Africa in 1893 for a legal case.
• Faced racial discrimination — thrown out of a first-class railway compartment and assaulted.
• These incidents became his "moment of truth."
• Developed and first used Satyagraha (non-violent resistance).
• Founded the Natal Indian Congress.
• Spent 21 years in South Africa fighting for civil rights.

Role in Indian Freedom Struggle

Returned to India in 1915 and gradually became leader of the national movement. The period 1920–1947 is known as the Gandhian Era.

Philosophy and Contributions

• Satyagraha: Non-violent resistance as moral & political weapon.
• Swadeshi: Promotion of Indian goods; boycott of foreign cloth.
• Social Reforms: Hindu-Muslim unity, abolition of untouchability (Harijans), women’s upliftment.
• Simple Living: Wore short dhoti; lived in ashrams; undertook fasts.

Assassination and Legacy

• Assassinated on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse.
• His birthday 2 October is celebrated as:
  • Gandhi Jayanti in India
  • International Day of Non-Violence (UN)
• Inspired global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

Philosophical Differences with Gandhi

• Bose believed World War II was an opportunity to seek help from Britain's enemies (Germany & Japan).
• Gandhi opposed aligning with fascist powers and preferred non-violent struggle.
• Differences led to Bose’s marginalization within Congress.

Role in Freedom Struggle

Indian National Army (INA)

A. Formation and Growth

• Formed on 17 February 1942 by Mohan Singh with Indian POWs.
• Bose reorganized and strengthened INA.
• Garnered support from Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia.
• Strength grew to over 40,000 personnel.

B. Bose's Leadership

C. Military Campaign

• Advanced to Imphal & Kohima (1944).
• Imphal offensive failed due to shortages & Allied air superiority.
• Retreated after Japanese defeat.

Impact of INA Trials (Red Fort Trials, 1945–46)

Bose’s Last Days

• After Japan’s surrender (Aug 1945), attempted to leave Southeast Asia.
• Died in a plane crash in Taipei on 18 August 1945.
• 23 January celebrated as Parakram Diwas.

Bose’s Final Message (15 July 1945)

Early Life and Political Rise

• Returned to India in 1912 after studies in England.
• Attended Bankipore Congress (1912).
• Joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League (1916).
• Became Secretary of Home Rule League (Allahabad, 1919).
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) strengthened his commitment to complete independence.

Role in Freedom Struggle

Key Writings

• The Discovery of India
• Glimpses of World History
• An Autobiography
• Letters from a Father to His Daughter

As First Prime Minister (1947–1964)

• Integration of States: Assigned Sardar Patel to integrate princely states.
• Economic Policy: Democratic socialism; Five-Year Plans; heavy industrialization.
• Foreign Policy: Founder of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); independent of Cold War blocs.
• Domestic Principles: Democracy, secularism, socialism, national unity.
• States Reorganization: States Reorganization Committee (1953) for linguistic states.

Early Life and Legal Career

• Successful lawyer in Godhra, Borsad, and Ahmedabad.
• Went to England at age 36; completed 36-month law course in 30 months; topped his class.
• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and adopted Gandhian principles.

Role in Freedom Struggle

Contribution to Post-Independence India

A. Integration of Princely States

• Entrusted on 6 August 1947.
• Integrated 562 princely states into Indian Union.
• Used diplomacy, persuasion, and firmness.
• Junagarh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir resolved through decisive action.

B. First Home Minister & Deputy Prime Minister

• Established IAS and IPS.
• Organized refugee relief during Partition.
• Handled Pakistan’s invasion of Kashmir firmly.
• Known as “Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants”.

C. Somnath Temple Restoration

• Played key role in restoration of Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Relationship with Gandhi

• Deeply loyal follower of Gandhi.
• Stepped aside from PM candidacy at Gandhi’s request.
• Suffered heart attack after Gandhi’s death.

Honours After Death

A. Early Life and Education

B. Key Phases of His Work

Phase 1: Struggle for Education & Identity (1891–1920)

• Faced caste humiliation in school.
• Scholarship from Maharaja of Baroda.
• Resigned from Baroda service due to caste discrimination.
• Professor at Sydenham College (1918–20).

Phase 2: Leader of Depressed Classes (1920–1930)

Phase 3: Political Struggle & Poona Pact (1930–1936)

Phase 4: Architect of Indian Constitution (1947–1950)

Phase 5: Later Years & Conversion (1951–1956)

C. Key Writings

D. Legacy and Awards

A. Early Life and Influences

B. Political Evolution

C. Revolutionary Activities

1. Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926)

• Founded March 1926, Lahore
• Promoted youth revolution
• Bhagat Singh served as Secretary

2. HSRA (1928)

• Reorganized HRA into Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
• Commander-in-Chief: Chandrashekhar Azad
• Goal: Establish Socialist Republic

3. Saunders Assassination (17 Dec 1928)

• Avenged Lala Lajpat Rai’s death
• Rajguru fired first shot; Bhagat Singh confirmed; Azad covered escape
• Escaped after cutting hair & beard

4. Central Assembly Bombing (8 April 1929)

• With Batukeshwar Dutt
• Low-intensity bombs; no intent to kill
• Slogan: "Inquilab Zindabad"
• Courted arrest deliberately

5. Hunger Strike (1929)

• 63 days (extended to 116)
• Demanded equal treatment for political prisoners
• Gained nationwide sympathy

D. Trial and Execution

E. Ideology and Writings

F. Legacy

• 23 March – Martyrs’ Day
• Voted “Greatest Indian” (2008 poll)
• Enduring cultural icon