Indian Independence Movement, a series of organised activities which aimed to make the Indian subcontinent a fully independent state. The national sentiment for achieving complete self- government developed in many stages starting early in the 19th century as a direct and indirect result of a number of inter-related developments like social reforms , religious reform movements , impact of Western Civilization , writings and speeches of Indian and Western intellectuals , socio- cultural movements , economic exploitation , rise of the Indian press , growth of industrial towns like Mumbai , Kolkata , Lahore.