Model Question and Answers for APSC | Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

Ans: In the first half of the last century, as India’s nationalist movement got into its stride, the struggle against the iniquity of Imperial rule galvanised tens of thousands of people in the west: liberals, radicals, communists, evangelicals and many others. They took India’s side. Most were British, championing a colonial freedom movement over motherland, but the cause resonated in the west well beyond Britain’s shores and indeed beyond the English- speaking world.

Role of foreigners in the Indian struggle for freedom:

• The members of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (William Jones and Alexander Cunnigham) were well acquainted with Indian traditions and led the debate in favour of Eastern education in vernacular language. Though they could not succeed in their efforts, it highlights the respect and recognition of Indian tradition.

• The most significant event perhaps was O Hume’s contribution towards the founding of the Indian National Congress, which spearheaded the freedom struggle. etc
• Annie Besant embraced the nationalist movement, established educational institutions for women and led the Home rule league She was, among many landmark achievements, the first woman to become president of the Indian National Congress and a founder of the Benares Hindu University.
• The contribution of Saint Theresa of Calcutta, an Albanian- Roman Catholic nun and missionary to India exemplifies the contributions of foreigners to India. Not only for social causes, but they also contributed significantly to the Indian freedom struggle.
• Ramchandra Guha in his famous book ‘Makers of Modern India’ considers Verrier Elwin as the defender of Indian tribals.
• G. Horniman was the best-regarded newspaper editor of his era who developed the Bombay Chronicle as one of nationalism’s most effective platforms.
• Philip Spratt was the principal defendant in the notorious Meerut conspiracy case in the early 1930s when the Imperial authorities tried to smash India’s incipient Communist movement and the militant labour unions they led.
• Madeleine Slade, who took the name Mirabehn, was the English daughter of a naval officer – again, both impetuous and determined – who became one of Gandhi’s closest aides. She was at the heart of the Gandhian endeavour, devoted both to the man and the movement and almost as an ascetic in lifestyle as her mentor.
• Samuel (later Satyanand) Stokes and Dick Keithahn were both Americans; Catherine Heilemann, who took the name Sarala Devi, was All three were active in establishing ashrams and educational institutions and exploring Indian spirituality, as well as challenging forced labour and untouchability and working towards environmental sustainability.