"banner, India League" [NBS I/D 250]

Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 250

Object Name
banner

Title
HELP INDIA TO FREEDOM! - Join The India League 163 Strand. W.C.1 TEM. BAR. 3689

Place
India & 163 Strand; Temple Bar & London & England & UK

Date
c.1930

Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour History

Description
India League banner, around 1930

The India League was a British based campainging organisation. The driving force behind the group was Krishna Menon, an Indian activist who moved to London in 1924. When in London, Menon joined the Commonwealth for India League. He radicalised the organisation and transformed it into the India League.

The aim of the India League was to campaign for the full independence, self-governance and national unity of India. The British government was very hesitant to lose control of the country, which was seen as the 'jewel in the crown' of the British Empire. However, wartime debts and increased pressure from 'Quit India' campaigns helped to turn public opinion following the Second World War. India and Pakistan achieved following the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which also divided the country into two nations, India and Pakistan, along largely religious grounds. This controversial policy is known as the Partition of India.

Materials: Plain-woven primed cotton fabric with water-based painted text slogan on one side which reads 'HELP INDIA TO FREEDOM! JOIN THE INDIA LEAGUE 163 STRAND.W.C.1 TEM.BAR.3689' 3 cotton webbing pole loops.

Multimedia