This perspective will change the way you look at history. You will have a unique perspective that very few in the world are even aware of. Your entire idea about Gandhi, his non-violence ideology and freedom struggle will change.

So what really happened?

Before that, let’s see what most of our text books say – Britain occupied India. Fight to gain independence from colonial English rule began throughout the country. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi who followed the principle of non-violence. Finally after Quit India Movement, India attained freedom in 1947.

Here is why Hitler’s actions played a crucial role in India attaining freedom:

World War II had such a profound impact on European colonial empires that it almost destroyed their own nations, especially financially. Hitler pounded England and France so hard that they were no longer able to maintain and rule the occupied countries such as India. Think about it, when your own house is on fire, you will call back all your men to first save your own house, won’t you? This is exactly what happened. The Second World War which started in 1939 pulled England into the center stage fight with Hitler and by the time war ended in 1945, colonial powers such as England were so destroyed that they had to leave India. In fact Britain and other colonial powers were so ruined that America had to fund them under the Marshall Plan to help them recover from the war. Hence, regardless of Gandhi or any other leader, Britain would have left for the reasons of its own. Had it not been for World War I, World War II and Hitler, India and many other countries probably would have been ruled for many more decades.

Still not convinced, look at the below timeline showing the year in which a few countries gained Independence soon after Second World War:

This is not to belittle the sacrifice and struggle of many great leaders. That is not the purpose of this article. We should indeed be grateful to all men and women who fought for independence.

But you can draw 3 lessons from this unique perspective:

1. See things in context, not in isolation.

2. Question Authority.
Don’t believe text books, newspapers and scriptures just because ‘it says so’. Skepticism is a good thing.

3. Be Rebellious. Dare to have unique perspectives.
The feeling that comes with this is worth craving for.