Karnataka played an important role in the National movement. After the fall of Tippu, Mysore Kingdom fell into the hands of British. The people of Karnataka opposed the over lord ship of the British and their policies. The British Jiad to face stiff opposition in Karnataka. This led to the freedom struggle at various places. Some of the important ones were Dhondia Wagha (1800), Kittur Revolt (1824), Sangolli Rayanna’s Revolt (1830), Bidanure Revolt (1830), Revoltin Coorg (1834) Bedas of Halagali’s Revolt (1857)etc.,
Serious struggle started with the establishment of Indian National Congress (1885). Representatives of Karnataka participated in the first Congress Session at Bombay (28.12.1885). The Bombay State Political Conference was held at Belgaum in 1893, presided over by Dinsha Wacha. At Dharwad, Pheroz Shah Mehta was the President. Tilak’s newspapers ‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ stirred up nationalistic feelings. Tilak toured Karnataka and gathered support for the Home Rule Movement.
Alur Venkata Rao, Srinivas Rao Kaujalgi, Govinda Rao Yalagi and others led the nationalistic activities. A branch of the Home Rule League was established at Dharwad in 1916. The celebrations of Ganeshotsava and Shivaji Jayanthi became very popular in north Karnataka. The First Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) session was held in 1920 at Dharwad. Gangadhar Rao Deshpande was the President of the session. He was popular as ‘Lion of Karnataka’ and ‘Karnataka Kesari’. Soon, Pradesha Congress Committees were established at Bangalore. Tumkur, Mysore and Kadur during 1921-1922.
Gandhian Era : Gandhiji started the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920. He toured Karnataka and advocated satyagraha to expel the British from India. Kannadigas were greatly influenced by Gandhiji. Leaders like Krishna Rao, Hanumant Rao Kaujalgi, Kamad Sadashiva Rao, N. S. Hardikar, R. R. Diwakar and others led the Non-Cooperation Movement in Karnataka. Boycotting Schools, Colleges, Courts and abstaining from work, picketing, strikes, demonstrations, burning of foreign goods, etc were held at most of the places in Karnataka. N. S. Hardikar established the Hindustan Seva Dal at Hubli in 1924, to intensify the struggle in Karnataka.
Belgaum Congress Session in 1924: Indian National Congress session was held at Belgaum in 1924. Gandhiji presided over the session. Hardikar Manjappa, famous as Gandhi of Karnataka along with Vallababhai Patel, Rajagopalachari, Jawaharlal Nehru and others participated in it. In that session, Gandhiji clearly explained the aims, methods and contents of the Satyagraha Movement lie called for the prohibition of alcohol and removal of untouchability. Gangubai Hangal sang ‘Vande Mataram’in this session.
This helped the Congress and its struggle in Karnataka. After the session, Gandhiji travelled to Bangalore, Mandya, Shimoga, Ilassan, Chikkamagaluru and encouraged nationalistic activities.
Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930: Gandhiji started Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.1 le went to Dandi to make salt, to break the monopoly of the British Government to make salt. Kannadigas actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Mylara Mahadevappa of Karnataka was one among the 78 members, who started the march from Sabarmati Ashram (12th March ISJO) along with Gandhiji during the Salt Satyagraha. In Karnataka, Salt Satyagraha was organized by R. R. Diwakar, M. R Nadakami, Sadashiva Rao, Ilanumantha Rao, Gangadhar Rao Deshpande and others.
They were completely successful in preparing salt at Ankolaon the very day Gandhiji did it at Dandi. It was repeated in over 30 centers in Karnataka like Mangalore, Kapu, Udupi, Kundapura, Malpe, Putturu and other places.
Shivapura Flag Satyagraha in 1938: The Mysore Pradesh Congress organized the session at Shivapura in 1938. It was presided over by T. Siddalingaiah. Large number of people attended the session. T. Siddalingaiah hoisted the tricolour Flag and demanded for responsible Government. The British Government prohibited all activities of the Congress and all congress leaders were arrested.
Vidurashwatha Tragedy in 1938: The Mysore Congress held a meeting and a procession at Vidurashwatha on 25th April 1938 during the temple festival. The Government had prohibited the meeting but the people defied the orders and hoisted the national flag. Several Congress workers were arrested and the situation turned violent. Police opened fire on the agitators. In the police firing, 32 people were killed and many injured. This incident is generally known as ‘Julian Walabagh of Karnataka’.
Quit India Movement in 1942: In 1942, Gandhiji gave a call to the people of India to ‘Do or Die’ and asked the British to quit India. Karnataka also took part in the movement with great enthusiam and fervour. One of the most important incident during the movement in Karnataka was the Isur Tragedy.
Isur, a small village in Shikaripur taluk of Shimoga district jumped into the Quit India Movement and declared Independence from the British rule. ‘Esuru Kottaru, hum Kodevu’ (How many ever villages be given, Isuru will not be let) was the famous slogan of the villagers. The villagers snatched away revenue records from the Patel and Shanbhag and beat them up for not supporting the movement. They hoisted the tricolour flag on the Veerabhadreshwara temple.
The police responded with severe lathi charge and firing. Government suppressed the uprising and arrested many people and sent them to Bangalore Cenjral Jail. The court passed death sentences on Gurappa, Mallappa, Halappa, Shankarappa and Suryanarayanachari. The National Movement ended with the Independence of India in 1947. Isur was the first village to declare itself as an Independent village.
