The British Crown assumed the Government of India by the proclamation of Queen Victoria in 1857. The Permanent Settlement with its concomitant huge revenue demands put all the zaminders under pressure and this pressure was gradually but inexorably transmitted down to the ryots. The Barddhaman Sanjivani in 1878, criticized the government for its failure to protect the ryots. Jatin Banerjee of Channa in Galsi thana area was the first to preach the adoption of revolutionary methods for attaining Independence. The Sakti Samiti, an athletic club, was established in Kalna town and the members of the club had to take a vow to abjure foreign goods, tobacco and liquor. A similar club, Joydev Sevak Sampradhi was established in Raniganj in 1908.

The people of Barddhaman reacted sharply to the proclamation of 1905 partitioning of Bengal. A number of meeting were held in the district, 60 boys had to leave school at Asansol, a number of students of Barddhaman Raj college were expelled for crying Vandemataram. A national school was opened at Kalna in 1908. The Khilafat movement also spread among the Muslim of the district. A hartal was observed throughout the district on 18 March 1923.

The Swaraj Party’s nominees were elected from six out of the ten seats at the Kalna municipality election,while at Katwa the leader of the local non-cooperators was elected chairman of the municipality in 1924. In 1930, when Gandhiji was arrested there was complete hartal at Barddhaman. In September 1931, bombs were thrown into the thana compound at Kalna and in the quater of the SI of police, Memari. Subhas Chandra Bose paid a visit to Bardhhaman in December 1931 and had addressed a meeting.

The conditions were such that Bengal Public Security Act 1932 was promulgated in the Asansol subdivision. Kazi Nazrul Islum, the noted Bengali poet was born at Churulia in Raniganj. His poems provided inspiration to the people for attainment of Independence. The people of Burdwan responded to the call of the country during the Quit India Movement of 1942. The post office of Kashiara was burnt as also the railway station of Kalna. Political agitation in different forms continued till the eve of Independence.