The Indian Freedom Struggle (1857–1947) — Interactive Timeline
Scroll through the key milestones of India’s fight for independence, from the Revolt of 1857 to freedom in 1947.
TL;DR: Scroll through the key milestones of India’s fight for independence, from the Revolt of 1857 to freedom in 1947.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
The Indian Freedom Struggle (1857–1947) (Class 8–10): Scroll through the key milestones of India’s fight for independence, from the Revolt of 1857 to freedom in 1947. This interactive timeline covers 8 key events from 1857 – 1947.
Why it matters: Dates and the sequence of the freedom movement are among the most frequently asked questions in History board exams and competitive tests.
The Indian Freedom Struggle (1857–1947) — Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1857 | The First War of Independence. A massive revolt against the British East India Company began at Meerut, spreading across north and central India. Though suppressed, it ended Company rule — the British Crown took direct control in 1858. |
| 1885 | Indian National Congress founded. The INC was formed, giving Indians an organised political platform. A.O. Hume helped found it; early leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji and Surendranath Banerjee. |
| 1905 | Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi Movement. Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal, sparking the Swadeshi movement — a boycott of British goods and promotion of Indian-made products. |
| 1919 | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. British troops under General Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds. It turned millions against British rule and pushed Gandhi towards mass non-cooperation. |
| 1920 | Non-Cooperation Movement. Mahatma Gandhi launched a nationwide non-violent movement — boycotting schools, courts, titles and foreign goods. It was called off in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident. |
| 1930 | Dandi Salt March & Civil Disobedience. Gandhi walked ~240 miles to Dandi to make salt, defying the British salt law. It triggered the Civil Disobedience Movement across the country. |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement. The Congress demanded an end to British rule with the slogan “Do or Die”. Mass protests followed and most leaders were arrested. |
| 1947 | Independence. On 15 August 1947 India became independent. The country was partitioned into India and Pakistan; Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister. |
Quick Recap — Dates to Remember
- 1857: The First War of Independence
- 1885: Indian National Congress founded
- 1905: Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi Movement
- 1919: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- 1920: Non-Cooperation Movement
- 1930: Dandi Salt March & Civil Disobedience
- 1942: Quit India Movement
- 1947: Independence
More History Timelines
- The Mughal Empire (1526–1857)
- Major Events in Indian History (Ancient to Modern)
- The Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE)
- The Gupta Empire — India’s Golden Age (320–550 CE)
- The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
- The Maratha Empire (1674–1818)
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