The reasons for end of British rule in India are given below: 

1. Emergence of various political and social movements: 

Many social and religious movements started in India in the beginning of the 19th century. These movements tried hard to remove the social evils from the Indian society. Due to these movements, a feeling of national unity developed among Indians.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded Brahmo Samaj. Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded Arya Samaj. Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission and Annie Besant founded Theosophical Society in India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is called the “father of modern India” and the forerunner of advanced India. Swami Dayanand Saraswati developed religious and national renaissance in India.

Through Arya Samaj, he inspired towards nationalism in the country. Annie Besant embraced Hinduism and encouraged Indians to struggle for complete independence from the British. Due to these religious and social movements, the feeling of nationalism was created among the people and united them.

2. The faulty British governance: 

The British governance in India was quite different from the traditional Indian political system. The native kings had patronized various religious and educational institutions, poets, artists and sages. The British government ended this system.

In the new system, Indian farmers were also subjected to oppression. The British judiciary was not only a costly, lengthy and unfair affair, but also a faulty system in its administration. English was made the common language and this increased the discontent of common people. Indians were considered inferior to Britishers.

3. Effect of English education:

Although Lord Macaulay wanted to make Indians mentally slave through the expansion of English education and language, but English education and language worked as an international mediator for us. The Indian youths started to take interest in English literature. This inspired them to recognize their strength.

4. Freedom Struggle of 1857:

Although the freedom struggle of 1857 proved to be a failure, but the inhuman torturous acts to crush the revolution, increased the dissatisfaction and hatred among the common men towards the Britishers rulers. The British burnt down many villages, killed many innocents. This type of torture created resentment against British government. Indians became united to take their revenge.

5. Economic exploitation of India: 

Indians had deep dissatisfaction towards economic exploitation done by the British government. British destroyed the cottage industries of India. They bought raw materials at very cheap rates from India and sold the ready goods at high rates. The foreign capital was invested in India and it was used to import ready-made goods. In this way, Indian economy was exploited. The drain of Indian wealth became the British policy largely, which destroyed our cottage industries.

6. Social Change:

Due to promotion of English language and education, Indian social and religious system also changed. A new group of young doctors, advocates, teachers and officials arose in India due to this education. They could understand the policies and conspiracies made by British, easily.

7. Glorification of Indian culture and civilization by foreign scholars: 

The research done by foreign scholars also created strong feeling of nationalism among-st Indians. Sir William Jones, Max Muller, Jacobi, Colebrooke, A.B. Kieth, Bumak, etc. studied the historical epics written in Sanskrit language deeply and translated them into English.

The western scholars considered Indian social and religious epics to be valuable treasures of the world. They considered Indian culture and civilization to be the best. This enhanced the glory of ancient India in the entire world. Indians could then understand the importance of their religion and culture. Confidence developed in them, and they came forward to join the national movement for Indian independence.

8. The contribution of literature and newspapers:

Indian literature and newspapers played an important role in the freedom movement. The nationalists continuously got inspiration through literature and newspapers. The repressive poncy of British government was always criticized in the newspapers and political rights for Indians were demanded. The main newspapers of that time were ‘Sambad Kaumaudi, Tribune’, ‘Hindu Patriot,’ ‘Indian Mirror,’ ‘New India,’ ‘Kesari,’ and ‘Arya Darshan’, etc.

The writings of Dadabhai Naoroji, Lokmanya Tilak, Maithili Sharan Gupta, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, Bharatendu Harishchandra created feelings of nationalism amongst Indians. Important tool of that time were ‘Anand Matha’ and Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, ‘Jana-Gana-Mana’ by Rabindranath Tagore, Bharat-Bharti by Maithili Sharan Gupt.

9. Dispute on Ilbert Bill:

During the governance of Lord Rippon, a legal member of legistature, Ilbert, passed a bill in 1883. In the bill, Indian magistrates were provided the right of hearing the cases of British criminals and to punish them accordingly. The Britishers united against this bill and protested at large scale. Circumstances compelled the government to take the bill back. The Indians learnt a lesson through this incident. They understood that the British government could also be bent by a united opposition at large scale. It, later, strengthened our struggle.

10. The Repressive policy of Lord Lytton:

During the period (1876 to 1880) of Lord Lytton, many unfair and anti-Indian policies were adopted which made the Indians dissatisfied. The unfair policies of Lord Lytton are given below : The age limit for the Indians was decreased by 19 from 21 years for the recruitment in public services. A lot of money was spent in the welcome function of Queen Victoria in Delhi, The Vernacular Press Act was enacted to prevent the press from expressing criticism of British policies.

11. Emergence of Indian National Congress: 

Hume, a retired British officer, founded the Indian National Congress on December 28, 1885. The Congress wanted to turn the feelings of nationalism and patriotism towards supporting legal governance, so that facilities of social and economic safety and security could be provided to the Indians. The Congress gave a new thought and direction to the freedom movement in India.

12. Global events:

Due to First and Second World War, global scenario changed rapidly and United States of America and Sovient Union arose as superpowers, and it made the British position weaker. On the other hand, a number of revolutions against colonial rule were conducted in many countries. This inspired the Indians and gave the freedom movement a new direction. Newly-emerged superpowers were of opinion to free those nations which were fighting for their independence.

13. Revolutionary movements: 

The secret organizations of revolutionary leaders trained the freedom fighters and provided them ammunition. The famous revolutionary organizations were ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in Maharashtra, ‘Anushilan Samiti’ in Bengal and ‘Yugantar’ in Odissa. Indians living in foreign countries were also active in the struggle for independence at their own level and capacity. All these developments were main causes of the decline of British rule in India.