In which region was the Swadeshi Movement known as the 'Vande Mataram Movement'?

The Swadeshi Movement, which began in Bengal in 1905 against the Partition of Bengal, spread to other parts of India. In the coastal delta regions of Andhra, around the Godavari and Krishna rivers, it became known as the "Vande Mataram Movement", after the patriotic song "Vande Mataram" written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel "Anandamath" (1882), which became the anthem of the movement.

In 1907, Bipin Chandra Pal, the famous Bengal nationalist, toured coastal Andhra, including Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Machilipatnam and Vijayawada, giving powerful speeches in support of swadeshi and boycott. His tour inspired students and young people across the region. In Rajahmundry, students of the government college wore "Vande Mataram" badges and shouted the slogan, and were punished by the authorities. This led to protests and the setting up of national schools. The Kakinada riots of 1907 also took place during this period.

The movement in Andhra encouraged:

• The boycott of foreign goods and the use of swadeshi products.
• The growth of the Andhra identity and the use of the Telugu language, which later led to the demand for a separate Andhra state.
• The founding of nationalist journals and of national educational institutions, such as the Andhra Jateeya Kalasala (National College) at Machilipatnam in 1910.
• Nationalist leaders from Andhra in this period included Mutnuri Krishna Rao, editor of the "Krishna Patrika", and others.

In other regions:

In Madras, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai led the movement and started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company at Tuticorin.

In Maharashtra, Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularised swadeshi through public festivals and the newspaper "Kesari".

In Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh led protests, including the Punjab agrarian agitation of 1907 ("Pagdi Sambhal Jatta").

"Vande Mataram" was declared the National Song of India by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, with equal status to the National Anthem. Its 150th anniversary was celebrated from November 2025.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Punjab saw protests led by Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh.
• ✗Maharashtra saw the movement led by Tilak.

Madras city and Tuticorin saw V.O. Chidambaram Pillai's efforts.