Comprehensive Timeline of Modern Indian History: From British Expansion to Indian Independence (1757–1947)

1. Expansion of British Rule (1757 – 1856)

This phase covers the transition from a trading company (East India Company) to a political power.

• 1757: Battle of Plassey – Robert Clive defeats Siraj-ud-Daulah; marks the start of British political rule.

• 1764: Battle of Buxar – British defeat the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II.

• 1765: Treaty of Allahabad – The Company gets 'Diwani' rights (tax collection) for Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

• 1773: Regulating Act – First step by the British Parliament to control the Company's affairs.

• 1793: Permanent Settlement introduced in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis.

• 1829: Prohibition of Sati by Lord William Bentinck.

• 1853: First Railway line opened between Bombay and Thane; first Telegraph line in Calcutta.

2. The First War of Independence & Crown Rule (1857 – 1885)

• 1857: The Revolt of 1857 begins at Meerut (led by Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore earlier).

• 1858: Government of India Act 1858 – Company rule ends; India comes under the direct control of the British Crown.

• 1878: Vernacular Press Act passed by Lord Lytton to restrict Indian languages newspapers.

• 1885: Formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) by A.O. Hume. First session held in Bombay (President: W.C. Bonnerjee).

3. Moderate & Extremist Phases (1885 – 1915)

• 1905: Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon; start of the Swadeshi Movement.

• 1906: Formation of the All India Muslim League at Dhaka.

• 1907: Surat Split – INC divides into Moderates and Extremists.

• 1909: Morley-Minto Reforms – Introduction of separate electorates for Muslims.

• 1911: Delhi Durbar – Partition of Bengal cancelled; Capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

4. The Gandhian Era (1915 – 1947)

• 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returns to India from South Africa (9th January - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas).

• 1917: Champaran Satyagraha – Gandhi’s first civil disobedience in India.

• 1919: Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13th April), and Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.

• 1920 – 1922: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement. Ends due to Chauri Chaura incident.

• 1927: Simon Commission arrives (boycotted by Indians).

• 1929: Lahore Session of INC – "Purna Swaraj" (Complete Independence) resolution passed.

• 1930: Civil Disobedience Movement begins with the Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha).

• 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact and Second Round Table Conference.

• 1935: Government of India Act 1935 – Basis for the future Indian Constitution.

• 1940: August Offer and the Lahore Resolution (Demand for Pakistan).

• 1942: Quit India Movement launched (8th August) with the slogan "Do or Die".

• 1946: Cabinet Mission Plan and formation of the Interim Government.

• 1947: Mountbatten Plan (June 3 Plan) and Indian Independence Act.

• 15 August 1947: India achieves Independence.