Only Kashmir Feature
While the date of 31st December is widely celebrated around the world on the eve of New Year, on the other hand, 31st December is very important in the history of India. Because on December 31, 1600, when the story of India’s slavery began, on the same date, December 31, 1929, the foundation of India’s independence from the British was laid.
31st December 1600 is a turning point in history when British slavery was laid in India’s destiny., Queen Elizabeth I of England issued a royal decree registering the East India Company, stating that the company would trade with East Asia, Southeast Asia and India.
The company, which started primarily in the spice trade, later developed land for the British Raj here, worked extensively for Britain’s imperial interests in India. In the early decades, the company began to establish a foothold in India and China to support trade in East Asia as well as the British government.
Along with monopolizing trade, they also started interfering effectively in political activities. The status of this company grew to such an extent that it ruled a large part of the world including India. It had changed from a company to a government with its own army and intelligence system.
Even this company had the right to collect taxes. After the Mutiny of 1857, the British Government took direct control of India by dissolving the Company on 1 January 1874.
Meanwhile, on the same three hundred years after, on 31 December 1929, the Congress met in Lahore and Mahatma Gandhi moved a resolution demanding the British to grant India a Dominion status within two years.
After some time, Gandhi made reduced the time from two years to one year. Jawaharlal Nehru voted in favor of the new resolution, while Subhash Bose told his supporters that he would not oppose the resolution, and abstained from voting himself. The All India Congress Committee voted 118 to 45 in its favor (45 votes came from supporters of a complete break with the British).
Lahore’s contribution to India’s freedom movement is never mentioned. Nehru’s declaration of independence, Lala Lajpat Rai’s protest against the Simon Commission and Bhagat Singh’s sacrifice are now forgotten in Lahore city where they were once warmly welcomed.
The flag of India was hoisted by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 31, 1929 on the banks of the Ravi River in Lahore. Congress asked the people of India to celebrate 26 January as Independence Day. The Indian flag was hoisted publicly all over India by the masses.
