Indian Independence
India gained Independence after a long wait. Throughout the centuries, European colonisation interfered and influenced the social, economic and cultural history of the subcontinent. But in 1947, all the efforts of generations in the past and present paid off with the Independence of India. Did freedom have a price to pay? Yes, for sure it did. But the outcome and the journey of the freedom struggle were not only a culmination of ideologies, courage and determination for India only.
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Post Indian Independence
It inspired and paved the way for other freedom movements across the world. Undoubtedly, ‘At the stroke of the midnight hour’, when the world slept, India woke to ‘life and freedom.’ But the slumber of the world was also awakened by the dawn in India. India’s Independence significantly weakened the European colonisers, especially the British Empire, all over the world. Furthered by World War II, colonisers were under pressure, as more and more colonies demanded what was truly theirs to take.
The Ripple Effect
India’s Independence led to a ripple effect in many parts of the world. The first and nearest influence of the movement was seen in Asia. Though direct intervention was limited, India’s freedom success acted as a catalyst and inspiration for other nations, such as Burma, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
- Burma (Myanmar) was a part of British India. But in 1937, the British separated Burma to weaken the Independence movement of both nations. However, the Independence of India showcased a strong example, and Burma gained its independence in 1948.
- India diplomatically and militarily supported Indonesia in its freedom struggle. It hosted the Indonesian Independence Conference in 1949, and sent humanitarian aid to the Indonesian nationalists who were fighting for independence. Many Indian soldiers who were posted by the British in Indonesia defied orders and sided with Indonesian nationalists during the freedom struggle of both nations.
- Whereas Sri Lanka’s Independence movement was largely peaceful and non-violent, Burma and Indonesia, in some parts, did indulge in an armed struggle. India’s independence, which was marked by both armed and non-violent measures, influenced the freedom movements in other Asian colonies.
Africa’s Path to Liberation
Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania (initially the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar) were under British colonial rule and gained Independence in 1957, 1963, 1961 and 1963, respectively. India and the African nations shared similar experiences at the hands of the British Empire. India stood behind the African nations, many of which adopted and were influenced by the non-violent and non-alignment movement.
Key African leaders were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, and India continued to diplomatically support the African nations. From airing nationalist programs on the radio, openly supporting their liberation and independence movements, and through different diplomatic channels and conferences, India stood firmly in support and solidarity with the African nations.
The Power of Non-Violent Resistance
The non-violent resistance movement remains one of the most important and critical movements of the independence struggle in India. Mahatma Gandhi’s call for non-violence not only inspired Indians and became a massive momentum for Independence. It also motivated other colonies to adopt a similar strategy. The non-violent resistance movement influenced the global civil rights movements across the world and inspired other political leaders.
Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. were deeply impacted by Gandhi’s philosophy. Martin Luther King Jr. adopted the principle of nonviolence during the American Civil Rights Movement. Similarly, Nelson Mandela in South Africa led the anti-apartheid movement, inspired by Gandhi’s non-violent ideologies and Satyagraha. His non-violent methods included supporting strikes, boycotts and demonstrations. He established the African National Congress and the first law firms for Blacks. Mandela was so inspired by the Mahatma that he also referred to him as ‘Gandhi of South Africa.’
Global Forums and India’s Advocacy
India’s support for decolonisation and equality was evident at global forums and the UN. In the General Assembly at the UN, India kept voicing its support for the freedom of colonised Asian and African countries. During Indonesia’s freedom struggle against the Dutch, India called for a session at the UN Security Council and hosted the Asian Relations Conference in 1947. It supported the membership of Burma and Sri Lanka in the UN forums.
India also showed solidarity in diplomatic efforts at the UN, supporting the independence of Ghana and Kenya. The Bandung Conference in 1955, held in Indonesia, was a key meeting between African and Asian countries, primarily those that had gained independence in recent years. This conference brought together newly independent nations to discuss challenges and collaborate for a better, peaceful and progressive future. Sponsored by Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka, with the participation of around 29 nations, the conference is also considered a pioneer of the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Non-Aligned Movement was officially founded in 1961 at the Belgrade Conference, but its basic groundwork was laid at the Bandung Conference. The participants had decided not to align themselves with the US or Western bloc, or the USSR or Eastern bloc during the Cold War. India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement or NAM. It supported the idea of remaining independent in its foreign policy and not choosing either a capitalist or communist direction, but charting its own path. It chose to focus on peace, development and decolonisation over aligning with any superpowers.
In Summary
Many countries and their leaders were inspired by India’s freedom struggle. Its independence gave hope and set an example for other nations that were also fighting for their freedom from colonial powers. Here is a quick summary of how India’s independence inspired other countries.
- Burma – India stood by Burma in diplomatic negotiations. Burma gained independence in 1948.
- Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka also gained its independence in 1948. Just like India, it was largely through peaceful and constitutional processes.
- Indonesia – India supported Indonesia in diplomatic and UN discussions. Indonesia gained independence in 1945.
- Ghana – Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president after its independence in 1957, was influenced by the Indian Independence Movement. He admired Gandhi and followed the non-violent resistance. Ghana was also the first African country to build diplomatic relations with India, and its embassies in New Delhi and Accra were amongst the first in Asia-Africa missions.
- Kenya – Kenya gained independence in 1963. It followed India’s example of non-violent resistance as an important framework for its freedom struggle.
India’s independence movement is etched in history and remembered for the inspiration and example that it set for other nations to follow. Though the intent of the freedom struggle was not about setting an example, it was, however, the inevitable outcome. Since several Asian and African countries were still under the rule of colonisers and facing the same atrocities and challenges, India’s independence harnessed hope and a will to fight for freedom. It also became a practical model of ideologies and movements, which were replicated and carried forward by other countries. From non-violent resistance to civil disobedience, nations and leaders propagated and executed these movements to gain independence and free themselves from the clutches of colonial powers.
In Conclusion
Even after decades of Independence, the relevance of self-determination has not faded away. The legal and moral right of people to be masters of their destiny in an international environment is the core idea on which international law and policies are built. The sovereignty of a nation and its self-determination continue to lie in the fundamental principles that each country makes its own choices and takes complete control and responsibility for its actions and practices. India’s independence movement, hence, remains a shining example of how collaboration and support can lead to political, economic and social peace and prosperity.
