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Freedom in Sight

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LOOKING CLOSELY

Immerse yourself in a curated collection of images and artworks from the DAG collection, offering a visual journey through the defining decades of India's struggle for independence in the 20th century.

SUGGESTED AUDIENCE

Learners in middle school and high school

SUGGESTED USE

Gaining insight into the multifaceted motivations and diverse efforts that fueled India's quest for independence; exploring the visual representation of the freedom movement and its impact on various segments of society; analysing the role of art and literature in shaping the narrative of India's freedom struggle; inspiring student discussions, contemplation, and projects centred on the pursuit of freedom in 20th century India.

Sobha Singh

When the Goal was in Sight 1945

Offset Print on Paper

Chittaprosad

Untitled

Ink on paper

Sudhir Ranjan Khastgir

Untitled 1946

Watercolour and graphite on paper

LOOKING FURTHER

A comprehensive compilation of primary and secondary sources from across the web on India's freedom movements in the final two decades.

SUGGESTED AUDIENCE

Middle school to high school learners and above

SUGGESTED USE

The purpose of these external resources is to allow students and teachers to develop their own lines of historical enquiry or historical questions using original documents and documentaries on this period of history. Students could work with a group of resources or a particular one which identifies a certain theme. Of course, the sources offer students a chance to develop their powers of evaluation and analysis and support their course work. Teachers may wish to use the collection to develop their own resources for the curriculum.

Answers To The Objections Commonly Raised Against Freedom For India

SAADA

Ever wondered how the British were able to rule India for 200+ years despite resistance? Despite the atrocities they committed, the British portrayed themselves as the flagbearers of civilised society. History will always glorify the hunter if there’s no historian of the lion. Thankfully, we have sources that tell us a different story.

Read through this pamphlet published by the American League for India's Freedom to explore a counter against the British narrative of colonial India.

Declaration of Purna Swaraj (Indian National Congress, 1930)

Constitution of India

Poorna Swaraj or the explicit call to throw the British government out of the country is something you read extensively in your textbooks. But what exactly was this call word to word?

Read the original resolution to find out what stands as a poignant reminder of the ideals and aspirations that have continued to guide this sovereign nation to this day. 

Tipu Sultan’s dream book

British Library

Tipu Sultan was acknowledged and respected as a fierce combatant and prudent leader, even by his opponents.

What went on in the depths of his subconscious? Delve into the dreams that reflect the hopes and fears that Tipu held within him.

Manuscript of the Progressive Writers Association

Sajjad Zaheer archive

The Manifesto exhorts Indian writers and, by extension, artists to reject romanticism in favour of representing the material conditions of life in India.

Do you think art and literature can shape sentiments and contribute to social and political movements?

Indian radical politics

The National Archives

Brits taught, trained and assimilated Indians up to their standards only to use them as per their liking. But soon tensions followed as the rise of intellectuals gave rise to demands of decolonisation and self-governance.

Read the reaction of the colonialists to the rising Indian educated class and their radical participation in denouncing colonialism. 

MARCH TO FREEDOM: REFLECTIONS ON INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE

Delhi Art Gallery

Get a glimpse of the DAG exhibition that re-interprets the well-known story of the Indian freedom struggle and anticolonial movement beyond politics, politicians, and battle through art and artefacts.