In the 20th century, Asia and Africa witnessed a surge of powerful liberation movements that sought to dismantle centuries of foreign domination. Across the continents, the winds of change were fueled by growing political awareness, economic hardship, and the global shift in attitudes toward imperialism after the two World Wars. India, brought under firm British control in the 18th century, had already been the site of numerous protests, reform movements, and uprisings from the Revolt of 1857 to the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience campaigns led by Mahatma Gandhi. By the 1940s, the demand for full independence had replaced earlier calls for limited self-rule.
Algeria’s situation, though in a different colonial context, was equally severe. Colonized by France in 1830, it was declared an integral part of the French Republic rather than a traditional colony. This meant that while European settlers known as pieds-noirs (black feet) enjoyed political rights, land ownership, and economic privileges, the indigenous Muslim majority was systematically denied political representation, subjected to discriminatory laws, and marginalized in their own homeland. Nationalist sentiment simmered for decades, but repeated attempts at peaceful reform were ignored or crushed, setting the stage for a more radical and uncompromising push for liberation.
India’s “Do or Die” – Quit India Movement (1942)
On 8th August 1942, during the All-India Congress Committee meeting at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay (now Mumbai), Mahatma Gandhi delivered his historic “Do or Die” call. In his speech, Gandhi urged Indians to engage in mass, non-violent civil disobedience until the British left India, declaring that freedom must be achieved even at the cost of their lives. The movement spread rapidly across the country, triggering strikes, boycotts, student protests, and the shutdown of government offices. The British government responded with swift and harsh repression arresting Gandhi and most Congress leaders within hours, banning public gatherings, and deploying military force to crush uprisings. Although the Quit India Movement did not secure immediate independence, it became the largest and most intense phase of India’s freedom struggle, uniting millions in a shared determination that ultimately paved the way for independence on 15 August 1947.
Algeria’s Toussaint Rouge – War of Independence (1954)
On 1 November 1954, the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched Toussaint Rouge (Red All Saints’) day, a series of carefully coordinated armed attacks across Algeria. Targets included police stations, military outposts, and colonial infrastructure in regions such as the Aurès Mountains, Kabylie, Oran, and Constantine. The operation was accompanied by the Proclamation of 1st November, which called on Algerians to unite under the FLN to achieve full independence from France. Unlike India’s openly declared, non-violent campaign, Algeria’s struggle was fought through guerrilla warfare, urban insurgency, and sabotage, reflecting the deep entrenchment of French colonial control. The war lasted nearly eight years and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The signing of the Evian Accords in March 1962 marked the end of hostilities, and independence was officially proclaimed on 5 July 1962, deliberately chosen to coincide with the anniversary of France’s conquest of Algiers in 1830 turning a day of colonial domination into one of national liberation.
Shared Spirit and Legacy
While India’s struggle for independence was defined by the principle of non-violent resistance, led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, Algeria’s path was shaped by the harsh realities of colonial repression that left armed revolt as the only perceived option. Both movements, however, were driven by the same unwavering objective the attainment of complete, unconditional independence. In each case, the turning point came when leaders and citizens alike abandoned hopes of gradual reform, instead embracing a unified, nationwide campaign that demanded freedom at any cost.
Today, the legacy of these movements is preserved through national commemorations. In India, 8 August is remembered as Quit India Day, honoring the launch of Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call, while 15th August is celebrated as Independence Day, marking the end of nearly two centuries of British colonial rule in 1947. In Algeria, 1st November is observed as Revolution Day, recalling the launch of Toussaint Rouge in 1954, and 5 July stands as Independence Day, chosen to symbolically reverse the date of French conquest in 1830. These anniversaries are more than historical markers; they are enduring reminders of the sacrifices, courage, and unity that shaped the destiny of both nations, inspiring future generations to value and protect their hard-won freedom.