The shift from imperial rule to an emerging global power is a monumental transformation. India's rise in various sectors—like technology, economics, and geopolitics—has been impressive. The country's technological advancement, in particular, has played a huge role in shaping its position on the world stage, with innovations and leadership in digital fields becoming one of its defining traits.
We were struggling to seek freedom at the start of the past century, making our 10s, 20s, 30s, and 40s a time when we were absorbed in becoming a free nation and then faced the crisis of partition and famine in some areas of the nation, today we have come across a long way with a history of survival to the present scenario of becoming a globally important player.
Talking about cultural renaissance, we have seen the roaring twenties of jazz melodies and the birth of modern materialism. However, this exuberance was soon overshadowed by the dark phase of political turmoil and the rise of totalitarian regimes.
The 1930s bear witness to the catastrophic events of World War II, which forever altered the geopolitical landscape. As I take you through this turbulent period, you will see how we overcame the web of a bound and chained society to a nation learning to strengthen its grounds and walk out of the dark phase towards resuming its lost glory.
The journey through the decades till the present day is a kaleidoscope of events that have indelibly shaped the course of India's history.
From the struggles of the 1920s to the socio-political turbulence of the 1960s, from the collapse of Cold War tensions in the 1980s to the uncertainties of the 2020s, each era is an intersection of societal, political, and technological forces that have molded our current scenario.
As I take you through the time of change across the globe, we delve into the essence of each decade, touching on the pivotal moments and transformative events that have left a strong mark on us as a collective conscience.
It would be impossible to cover all the world happenings by every decade in detail, but I can provide some key events and trends that have shaped the world over the past century or so, many of which impacted the birth of new India.
So, here we go….
1920s: In the Roaring Twenties, there was economic growth and cultural revolution in many parts of the world, mainly in the US and European continents. The decade witnessed the rise of jazz music, flapper culture, and the start of contemporary consumer culture. However, this period also witnessed a phase of political instability, with the consequences of World War I that caused the rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes.
1930s: This decade saw massive economic depression and political chaos, as the Great Depression affected most parts of the world. The rise of totalitarian and fascist regimes in Europe and Asia provoked the Second World War, which impacted events through the rest of the decade and beyond.
1940s: World War II continued to dominate the 1940s, with significant events that included the D-Day invasion, the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the formation of the United Nations. After the war, peace wasn't a rescue as the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union started, and a decolonization movement erupted in Africa and Asia.
1950s: With the emergence of the middle class and the baby boom generation in many Western nations, the 1950s were a time of both social conservatism and economic growth. The Korean War and the Vietnam War marked the start of a new era of conflict and tensions between the US and the Soviet Union.
1960s: The anti-war, feminist, and civil rights movements marked the turbulent social and political decade of the 1960s. The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the emergence of the counterculture, and the hippie movement further impacted the decade.
1970s: This decade saw economic stagnation and political turmoil, with the end of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal dominating the US political scene. The decade also marks the rise of environmentalism and the first Earth Day in 1970.
1980s: The 1980s was a decade marked by both conservatism in politics and growth in the economy, with the US Reagan administration championing free-market principles and the Soviet Union collapsing as the Cold War came to an end. The world began to take on new forms with the advent of novel innovations like the internet and personal computers, as well as the rise of globalization.
1990s: With the conclusion of the Cold War and the emergence of the European Union, the 1990s enjoyed a period of reasonably calm and prosperous times. The rise of the internet and the start of the digital era also changed how people worked and lived.
2000s: The 2 K-led decade witnessed the US terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which sparked the War on Terror and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. There was also the emergence of China as a major economic force on the world stage and an increasing threat posed by climate change.
2010s: With the Arab Spring protests and the emergence of populist movements in numerous Western nations, the 2010s was a decade defined by political polarization and social unrest. The decade also saw the spread of social media and an increase in global awareness of the effects of climate change.
2020s: The current decade was traumatized by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the world in countless ways. Climate change, social justice, and geopolitical conflicts between superpowers like the US, China, and Russia are other significant issues. Amidst everything, India fought and showed the world how to face crises and help other nations with empathy and agility as well.