20th Century India

First Online: November 11, 2007
Page Last Updated: February 17, 2024

Introduction

The twentieth century (years 1901 to 2000)  completely transformed India -- just as it transformed rest of the world -- from a primitive, chaotic system of numerous kingdoms to a robust and free standing nation. This section explores the political movements and society in India during the 20th century -- starting from the Indian Renaissance to emergence of Modern India as a Global Power.

India During the 20th Century

Topics on 20th Century India (years 1901 A.D. to Year 2000) at Kamat's Potpourri

• The Story of India`s Struggle for Independence
• The Plague of 1994
• Operation Bluestar -- The background, operation, and the aftermath of military action in Amritsar in 1984, and a turning point in contemporary Indian history.
• Emergency in India (1975-77)
• Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty -- For five generations the Nehrus and Gandhis have dominated Indian political scene. A pictorial essay lists the various positions they have held.
• A Biography Mahatma Gandhi
• Goa's Freedom Fight -- Pictures and stories of Goa's struggle for freedom from Portugal and her integration with rest of India.

Important Events in India During the 20th Century

(Arranged Chronologically)

• 1905 - The Partition of Bengal
• 1919-1924 -- The Khilafat Movement
• 1928- 1931 -- The Simon Commission and the Civil Disobedience Movement
• 1942 -- Gandhi launches the Quit India Movement
• 1947 -- India gains independence from the British, integrates the Princely States and becomes a Democratic Republic.
• 1964 -- Disappointed by the failures of his Panchasheel policies, and having conceded defeat to the Chinese, Jawaharlal Nehru dies.
• 1966 -- Prime-minister Lal Bahadur Shastri dies at Indo-Pak summit at Tashkent shortly after the peace treaty is signed, causing a political void.
• 1971 -- Third Indo-Pakistani War which culminates in the creation of Bangladesh.
• 1972 -- The Simla Agreement is signed between India Gandhi and Z.A. Bhutto
• 1983 -- India wins the Cricket World Cup (Prudential Cup), much to the joy of the citizens. Cricket Craze engulfs Indian subcontinent.
• 1984 -- Operation Bluestar, subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, and violence against the Sikhs.
• 1991 -- Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated by woman suicide bomber connected with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
• 1992 -- A large mob of Hindus bring down Babri Masjid in a pandemonium that lasted several days, thus deeply damaging Hindu-Muslim community relationships.
• 1993 -- A series of bomb blasts, said to be connected with the Muslim underworld rock Mumbai -- possibly in revenge for destruction of the Babri Mosque.
• 1994 -- Pneumonic Plague breaks out in western India causing panic and chaos.
• 1995 -- The notorious Y2K software fix creates boom for India's programmers and engineers (see: Outsourcing)

Pictures

Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991) Rajiv was a commercial pilot turned politician, became the prime minister of India after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, his mother.
	Sanjay Gandhi (1946-1980)
Tagore and Gandhi The two leading thinkers of 20th century India

See Also:

• 19th Century India
• Potpourri of Pictures -- A pictorial portal to the picturesque land of India. Includes photographs of elements, portraits, women, paintings, and a Photo Blog
• A Unique Memorial to a Learned Lady