The Indian freedom struggle began in true earnest in the post-1857 mutinies period. Earlier in the 18th and early 19th centuries, the arrival and gradual supremacy of the British colonies in the Indian subcontinent was not frowned upon or resisted based on a nationalistic principle. After the economic disruptions brought about by the British administration and the steady exposure of certain Indian intellectuals to widespread education, the injustices came to the forefront. Indian political thinkers began to organise themselves politically to demand rights and equality in opportunity at administrative posts. The foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 and the era of Moderate politics had created a rift in the Indian political organisations around the last decade of the 19th century.

Freedom Struggle

The role of revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle is evident in the latter events where masses were mobilised and certain goals were achieved, paving the path for a nationwide demonstration and series of movements under Gandhi. 

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Role of Revolutionaries in Indian Freedom Struggle

Revolutionaries like Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and others spearheaded the Extremist trend of freedom struggle. With the embodiment of this trend in the Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911), the Extremist trend would gradually become Revolutionary Terrorism in some parts of Bengal and its outskirts. The Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar were organisations by people like Dinesh Gupta, Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, Khudiram Bose, Prafulla Chaki, and Jatindranath Mukherjee who were well known for their revolutionary contributions. The role of the revolutionaries in the Indian Freedom Struggle can be surmised as the following:

• The failure of the Moderates in actualizing their political goals and having their demands granted at the legislative Assembly inspired a faction in the INC to break off and pursue harsher methods
• They organized protests and carried out active participation by employing fear tactics to have their voices heard
• The revolutionaries became the symbols of sacrifice and national pride
• They showed that just petitioning for reforms would not result in much success and active demonstrations needed to accompany proposals and petitions

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Contribution of Revolutionaries in Freedom Struggle of India

The contribution of revolutionaries in the freedom struggle of India was:

• The use of printing for pamphlets and hygiene manuals became popular
• More emphasis was laid on becoming self-sufficient and indigenous handicraft industries were promoted
• Establishment of primary schools and colleges led by Indians
• Including military and professional training regarding weapons
• Establishment of many well-known newspapers such as Bengalee, Bande Mataram, and Amrita Bazar Patrika

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Revolutionary Movements in the Freedom Struggle of India

The commencement of the freedom struggle was not a linear or steady process. The national movements that would come about after the Swadeshi Movement in the 20th century were marked by different motives, and paces, and had varying results. The main revolutionary movements in the freedom struggle of India were:

• Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911)
• The Khilafat Movement/Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922)
• The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
• The Quit India Movement (1942)
• The Naval Mutiny (1946)

Conclusion

There were revolutionary practices carried out in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and South India. Outside of India, there were few organizations established by Indian revolutionaries. The Gadar Party has a unique place in the history of revolutionaries. The role of the revolutionaries in the Indian Freedom Struggle needs to be understood in this context.