VO Chidambaram Pillai was actively involved in the revolutionary movement in which of the following areas?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Madras

• V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, also known as the Lion of Tamil Nadu, was actively involved in the revolutionary movement in Madras (now Chennai) and the broader Tamil Nadu region. He is best known for his leadership in the Swadeshi movement, which advocated for boycotting British goods and promoting Indian-made products.

• He established the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, the first Indian shipping company, which competed directly with the British-controlled shipping companies. This was a major step in promoting Indian self-reliance and opposing British monopoly.

• His efforts were instrumental in the Coral Mill Strike, which helped improve the working conditions for laborers in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), further solidifying his role in labor rights movements.

Information Booster:

• Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company: Founded by V.O. Chidambaram Pillai in 1906, this company challenged British control of maritime trade and was a symbol of self-reliance and nationalism.

• Coral Mill Strike (1908): V.O. Chidambaram Pillai led a successful strike in Thoothukudi, where workers demanded better working conditions. His leadership inspired many future labor movements in Tamil Nadu.

• Key Role in the Swadeshi Movement: Chidambaram Pillai's involvement in the Swadeshi Movement was significant, as he used his influence to encourage boycotting British goods and promoting Indian industries. This was part of the larger nationalist movement across India.

Other Famous Movements & Related Personalities:

1. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

   • Leader: Mahatma Gandhi

   • Objective: To resist British rule through non-violent means, promoting non-cooperation with the British government, and boycotting British goods, educational institutions, and courts.

2. The Salt March (1930)

   • Leader: Mahatma Gandhi

   • Objective: Protest against the British monopoly on salt production by marching 240 miles to the coastal town of Dandi, where salt was illegally produced.

3. The Quit India Movement (1942)

   • Leader: Mahatma Gandhi

   • Objective: Aimed at forcing the British to leave India and end colonial rule. It was marked by mass protests and arrests across the country.

4. The First War of Indian Independence (1857)

   • Leaders: Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Bahadur Shah Zafar

   • Objective: The first large-scale, armed resistance against British rule, though it was not unified, it is often seen as the beginning of India's struggle for independence.

5. The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)

   • Leader: Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Surendranath Banerjee

   • Objective: The movement aimed at promoting Indian goods and boycotting British goods following the partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon in 1905.

6. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

   • Leader: Mahatma Gandhi

   • Objective: A series of non-violent protests against British laws, including the Salt March and refusal to pay taxes, aiming for full independence.