20th Century India

First Online: November 11, 2007
Page Last Updated: August 20, 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

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.
Rajiv Gandhi
The Nehrus and Gandhis
Sanjay Gandhi (1946-1980)

Tagore and Gandhi
The two leading thinkers of 20th century India
Tagore with Gandhi


See Also: