15th August, 2016 marks the 70th Independence Day of India and is the same date in 1947 when India gained its freedom from British rule. It is a remarkable and very special day in Indian History and marks the birth of free India. 15th August 1947 indeed did not come easy and was attained at the cost of blood of freedom fighters. This day marks the end of Indian Slavery under British Empire and today is celebrated with intense pride and respect. Throughout the years of Indian National Movement and fight for freedom, many events took place and after a lot of hardship our respected freedom fighters were able to give us free and independent India, free of slavery.
History of Independence Day
The invasion of Europeans and gradually by British started when Vasco Da Gama landed in 1498 AD for the first time in Calicut. It marked the decline of Mughal Empire in the beginning of 18th century which started the beginning of British Rule in India. The first cry for Independence was heard in 1857 and started the struggle and fight for freedom with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. The 1857 war of Independence was the turning point and India started protesting against British Rule.
Indian National Movement
There are many leaders and freedom fighters that fought for Indian National Movement and are martyrs who shed their blood fearlessly for Independent India. The inception of Indian National Congress took place in 1885 by A 0 Hume and there was no looking back. In 1900 Congress was formed as front runner political organisation of India fighting for Independent India. There were many events but Partition of Bengal in 1905 By Lord Curzon was one of the major kick-start to the National Movement.
Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian Independence
There was lot of things going on when Mahatma Gandhi entered the Indian Freedom movement and united Indians on different preaching. Many leaders and freedom fighters joined Gandhi Movement that preached non-violence, boycotting of Western Culture and clothes, protests, fasts etc.
- The first Satyagraha movement was started in 1920 that influenced all Indians to abandon Western clothing and adopt Khadi made clothes. This was a major hit to the British Business expansion.
- Simon Commission is another remarkable event of Indian National Movement which was Indian Statutory Commission of 7 British members and was sent in 1928 to study constitutional reforms. There was lot of protests against Simon Commission as there was no Indian in the group. The protest was led by LalaLajpatRai with slogans “Go back Simon” and to make way for the commission the protestors were beaten which is believed to cause death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
- 1930 Marks Dandi March also called Salt Satyagraha and it was a protest by Gandhi and his followers against British tax on salts. The march started from Ahmedabad and covered distance of 400 kms ending in Dandi.
- In 1942, Quit India Movement was started that is a major civil disobedience movement and the fight was to stop sending Indians to World War II and claim for Indian Independence.
Voice of Free India
British Government finally had to bow down and gave up their rule on India and awarded freedom to India. The India Independence also led to separation of India into India and Pakistan. Indian Independence Act 0f 1947 was passed by British Parliament to award freedom to India and India gained its freedom at 12:02 on 15th August 1947. The power of Constituent Assembly was transferred to India at 11pm on August 14th and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru is the first prime minister of Independent India. India Independence was marked by our first Prime Ministers speech – “Tryst with Destiny” and marked Independence of India after 200 years of British Rule.
Celebration of Indian Independence
In memorial of revered and in honour of freedom fighters, Independence Day is celebrated with every year with great joy. It is declared National Holiday in India and is celebrated in all organisations by Flag Hosting. Every year our National Flag is hosted at Red Fort in National Capital, New Delhi by our honourable prime minister. The flags are available everywhere in markets and there is compulsory flag hosting in all government organisations, companies, schools and colleges. Kite flying is a symbolic sport played on Independence Day that symbolised freedom and independence. It is a national holiday with all the government organisations and banks closed for the day. On the eve of Independence Day, President of our Country delivers “Address to the Nation”. The day is marked by joyous celebration, cultural events in Red fort in large scale and feeling a true sense of patriotism.
15th August, 1947 reigns to be the most special and beautiful day of Indians and we salute our freedom fighters to let us grow in Independent India.
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