Modern Indian History

1921 is known as the 'Year of the Great Divide' in India's demographic history because it marked the point where India's population growth rate transitioned from stable/slow growth to rapid growth. Before 1921, both birth rates and death rates were high, keeping population growth low. After 1921, death rates declined due to improved public health while birth rates remained high, leading to population explosion.

Malaya (now Malaysia) gained independence from British rule on August 31, 1957. The Federation of Malaya became a sovereign nation with Tunku Abdul Rahman as the first Prime Minister. This day is celebrated as Merdeka (Freedom) Day and marks the end of colonial rule.

Maldives gained independence from British protection on July 26, 1965, ending 78 years of British status that began in 1887. The Indian Ocean archipelago nation became a fully sovereign state while maintaining its constitutional monarchy. This day is celebrated as Independence Day.

The Indian Statistical Institute was established in 1931.

Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Calcutta. It was a reformist movement that sought to modernize Hindu society by opposing idol worship, caste discrimination, and sati.

Mahatma Gandhi first experimented with his political philosophy and methods of Satyagraha in South Africa between 1893-1914. It was in South Africa that he developed his techniques of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, fighting against racial discrimination. These experiences shaped his approach to India's freedom struggle.

Allan Octavian Hume was both a British civil servant (served in India) AND the founder of the Indian National Congress in 1885. He played a dual role as a benevolent administrator who also helped organize Indian political representation.

Rabindranath Tagore suggested celebrating October 16, 1905 as Rakhi Bandhan Day to protest the partition of Bengal, symbolizing Hindu-Muslim unity against the British divide-and-rule policy. The tradition involved tying rakhis as a gesture of brotherhood and solidarity.

The Rolling Plan was introduced by the Janata Government in 1978-79 as a modification to the Fifth Five Year Plan. It allowed for annual revision of targets based on performance, making planning more flexible than the rigid Five Year Plans of earlier governments.

The Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty was signed on July 31, 1950, between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Nepalese Prime Minister Mohan Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana. It established close ties between the two nations.

The All-India Muslim League was founded on December 30, 1906, in Dhaka. It was established to protect Muslim political interests in British India. The other dates (1909, 1916, 1920) relate to other political developments like the Morley-Minto reforms, Lucknow Pact, and Khilafat movement respectively.

Brushes with History: An Autobiography is the memoir of K.K. Birla, a prominent Indian industrialist and parliamentarian. Ratan Tata has authored different books, Nelson Mandela wrote Long Walk to Freedom, and Jawaharlal Nehru wrote Discovery of India and other works.

Tushar Gandhi is Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson. The book 'Let's Kill Gandhi' examines the circumstances surrounding Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

Radio broadcasting in India began in 1927 with the establishment of the first radio station in Mumbai (then Bombay) by the Indian Broadcasting Company. This marked the beginning of organized radio transmission in the country. The station later became part of All India Radio when it was established in 1936.

The partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911 after sustained protests from the Indian people. It was originally implemented in 1905 by Lord Curzon to divide and rule, but was reversed during King George V's visit to India. The capital was also shifted from Kolkata to Delhi in 1911.