ORIGIN OF NATIONALISM
The Rise of Nationalism is reflected in the spirit of Renaissance in Europe when freedom from religious restrictions led to the enhancement of national identity. This expression of Nationalism was furthered by the French Revolution. The political changes resulted in the passing of Sovereignty from the hands of an absolute monarch to the French citizens, who had the power to constitute the nation and shape its destiny. The watchwords of the French Revolution – Liberty, Equality and Fraternity – inspired the whole world. Many other revolutions like the American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, etc. also strengthened the idea of Nationalism.
Rise of Nationalism in India
For India, the making of national identity was a long process whose roots can be drawn from the ancient era. India as a whole had been ruled by emperors like Ashoka and Samudragupta in ancient times and Akbar to Aurangzeb in Medieval times. But, it was only in the 19th Century that the concept of a national identity and national consciousness emerged. This Growth was intimately connected to the anti-colonial movement. The social, economic and political factors had inspired the people to define and achieve their national identity. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle against colonialism.
The sense of being oppressed under colonial rule provided a shared bond that tied different groups together. Each class and group felt the effects of colonialism differently. Their experiences were varied, and their notions of freedom were not always the same. Several other causes also contributed towards the rise and growth of Nationalism. One set of laws of British Government across several regions led to political and administrative unity. This strengthened the concept of Citizenship-2/”>Citizenship and one nation among Indians. This economic exploitation by the British agitated other people to unite and react against British Government’s control over their lives and Resources. The social and religious reform movements of the 19th century also contributed to the feeling of Nationalism. Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, Henry Derozio and many others revived the glory of ancient India, created faith among the people in their religion and culture and thus gave the message of love for their motherland. The intellectual and spiritual side of Nationalism was voiced by persons like Bankim Chandra Chatterji, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Aurobindo Ghosh. Bankim Chandra’s hymn to the Motherland, ‘Vande Matram’ became the rallying cry of patriotic nationalists. It inspired generations to supreme self-sacrifice. Simultaneously, it created a fear in the minds of the British. The impact was so strong that the British had to ban the song. Similarly, Swami Vivekananda’s message to the people, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”, appealed to the Indians. It acted as a potent force in the course of Indian Nationalism.
Around this time many organizations were being formed which raised their voices against British rule. Most of these organizations were regional in nature. Some of these organizations were very active such as Bengal Indian Association, Bengal Presidency Association, Pune Public Meeting, etc. However it was felt that if these Regional Organizations could work jointly it would help the Indian masses to raise their voices against the British Rule. This led to the formation of Indian National Congress in the year 1885.
EMERGENCE OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (1885)
The Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume in 1885. Hume was a retired Civil Service Officer. He saw a growing political consciousness among the Indians and wanted to give it a safe, constitutional outlet so that their resentment would not develop into popular agitation against the British rule in India. He was supported in this scheme by the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin, and by a group of eminent Indians. Womesh Chandra Banerjee of Calcutta was elected as the first President. The Indian National Congress represented an urge of the politically conscious Indians to set up a national organization to work for their betterment. Its leaders had complete faith in the British Government and in its sense of Justice. They believed that if they would place their grievances before the government reasonably, the British would certainly try to rectify them. Among the liberal leaders, the most prominent were Firoz Shah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dada Bhai Naoroji, Ras Behari Bose, Badruddin Tayabji, etc. From 1885 to 1905, the Indian National Congress had a very narrow social base. Its influence was confined to the urban educated Indians. The early aims of this organization were limited only to communicate with British government on behalf of the Indian people and voice their grievances. It was rightly called the era of the Moderates.
Initial stages of Indian National Congress
The congress placed its demands before the government always in the form of petitions and worked within the framework of law. It was for this reason that the early Congress leaders were referred to as ‘Moderates’. During its first twenty years the Congress made moderate demands. The members placed their demands before the Government always in the form of petitions and worked within the framework of law. It was for this reason that the early Congress leaders were referred to as ‘Moderates’ They asked for: (a) representative legislatures, (b) Indianization of Services, (c) reduction of military expenditure, (d) Education, EMPLOYMENT and holding of the ICS (Indian Civil Services) examination in India, (e) decrease in the burden of the cultivators, (f) defense of civil rights, (g) separation of the judiciary from the executive, (h) change in the tenancy laws, (i) reduction in land revenue and salt duty, (j) policies to help in the growth of Indian industries and handicrafts, (k) introduction of welfare programmes for the people. Unfortunately, their efforts did not bring many changes in the policies and administration of the British in India. In the beginning, the Britishers had a favourable Attitude towards the Congress. But, by 1887, this attitude began to change. They did not fulfill the demands of the Moderates. The only achievement of the Congress was the enactment of the Indian Councils Act, 1892 that enlarged the legislature by adding a few nonofficial members and passing of a resolution for holding Indian Civil Services Examination simultaneously in London and in India. Many leaders gradually lost faith in the Constitutional process. Even though the Congress failed to achieve its goal, it succeeded in creating national awakening and instilling in the minds of the Indian people a sense of belonging to one Nation. They provided a forum for the Indians to discuss major national issues. By criticizing the government policies, they gave the people valuable political training. Though, They were not ready to take aggressive steps which would bring them in direct conflict with the Government. The most significant achievement was the foundation of a strong national movement. The Britishers who were earlier supporting the Moderates soon realized that the movement could turn into a National force that would drive them out of the country. This totally changed their attitude. They passed strict laws to control education and curb the press. Minor concessions were given so as to win over some Congress leaders. The British Viceroy, Lord Curzon was a staunch imperialist and believed in the superiority of the English people. He passed an Act in 1898, making it an offence to provoke people against the British rulers. He passed the Indian Universities Act in 1904, imposing stiff control over Indian Universities. Curzon was out to suppress the rising Nationalism in India. This was evident from what he did in 1905.
PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905)
Curzon announced the partition of Bengal. The reason for partition was given as an attempt to improve administration. But the real aim was to ‘Divide and Rule’. The partition was done in order to create a separate State for Muslims and so introduce the poison of Communalism in the country. However the Indians viewed the partition as an attempt by the British to disrupt the growing national movement in Bengal and divide the Hindus and Muslims of the region. Widespread agitation ensued in the streets and in the press. People of different parts of India opposed the partition of Bengal all over the country. This opposition was carried on by organized meetings, processions and demonstrations etc. Hindus and Muslims tied ‘rakhi’ on each other’s hands to show their unity and their protest. The use of Swadeshi (made in our own country by our own people) goods, business, national education and Indian languages were encouraged. The new nationalist spirit of self reliance- shed the fear of repression including imprisonment and painful torture by the British rule. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who realized the importance of boycott as a weapon that could be used to paralyze the whole British administrative machinery in India. The boycott and Swadeshi movements were instrumental in the establishment of swadeshi enterprises – textile mills, banks, hosiery, tanneries, chemical works and insurance companies. Swadeshi stores were opened. Volunteers supplied goods at the doorstep of every household. The movement spread to all classes and groups of people. Everyone, including Women and children, came forward to take part. The most active were school and college students. This made the British reverse the partition of Bengal and unite it in 1911. During this time, the role of Radical Nationalists in the Indian National Congress, who were called the ‘Garam Dal’, came to be appreciated. They tried to involve people from all classes and groups including peasants, worker, students as well as women. They succeeded in uniting the Indian people against the common enemy – the British. The young people were roused to the highest level of patriotism and zeal to free their country. They helped in making people self confident and self reliant. They also revived the Indian Cottage Industry.
THE RISE OF RADICAL NATIONALISTS
The mild policies of the Moderates in the Congress led to the rise of passionate, radical nationalists, who came to be called the ‘Garam Dal’. Thus the first phase of the nationalist movement came to an end with government reaction against the Congress on the one hand and a split in the Congress in 1907 on the other. That is why the period after 1905 till 1918 can be referred to as the ‘Era of Passionate Nationalists or Garam Dal’. Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) were important leaders of this Radical group. When the Moderates were in the forefront of the action, they had maintained a low profile but now they swung into action. Their entry marked the beginning of a new trend and a new face in India’s struggle for freedom. According to them, the Moderates had failed to define India’s political goals and the methods adopted by them were mild and ineffective. Besides, the Moderates remained confined to the upper, landed class and failed to enlist mass support as a basis for negotiating with the British.
The Garam Dal realized that the British were out to exploit Indians, destroy their self-sufficiency and drain India of its wealth. They felt that Indians should now become free of foreign rule and govern themselves. This group, instead of making petitions to the government, believed in organizing mass protests, criticizing government policies, boycotting foreign goods and use of Swadeshi (home-made) goods etc. They did not believe in depending on the mercy of the Britishers, but believed that freedom was their right. Bal Gangadhar Tilak gave a slogan ‘Freedom is our birth right and we must have it’. In 1916 the two groups were again united with the efforts of Mrs. Annie Besant. She started working for The Home Rule Movement in 1914. She was convinced that India should be granted Self-Government. In 1916, Muslim League and Congress also came to an understanding with each other and signed the Lucknow Pact. Later, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose became the eminent figures of Indian National Congress, who led the freedom movement of India forward.
FORMATION OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE (1906)
As the radical movement grew stronger the British began to look for ways and means to break the unity among Indian. They tried to do this through the partition of Bengal and by sowing the seed of communalism among Indian people. They motivated Muslims to form a permanent political association of their own. In December, 1906, during the Muhammadan Educational conference in Dacca, Nawab Salim Ullah Khan raised the idea of establishing a Central Muhammadan Association to take care of Muslim interests. Accordingly, on 30th December, 1906, the All India Muslim League was founded. Another prominent person, Aga Khan was chosen as its president. The main objective of the league was to protect and advance the rights of Muslims in India and represent their needs to the government. By encouraging the issue of separate electorates, the government sowed the seed of communalism and separatism among Indians. The formation of the Muslim League is considered to be the first fruit of the British master strategy of ‘Divide and Rule’. Mohammad Ali Jinnah later joined the League.
MORLEY-MINTO REFORMS (1909)
The Council Act of 1909 was an extension of the 1892 reforms, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms after the names of the then Secretary of State (Lord Morley) and the then Viceroy (Lord Minto). It increased the members of the Legislative Assembly from sixteen to sixty. A few non-elected members were also added. Though the members of the Legislative Council were increased, they had no real powers. They remained mainly advisory in character. They could not stop any bills from being passed. Nor did they have any power over the budget.
The British made another calculated move to sow the seed of communalism in Indian politics by introducing separate electorates for the Muslims. This meant that from the constituencies dominated by Muslims only Muslim candidates could be elected. Hindus could only vote for Hindus, and Muslims could only vote for Muslims. Many leaders protested against this communal electorate policy of the British to ‘Divide and Rule’.
THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
The First World War started in the year of 1914. This War was fought among the nations of Europe to get colonial monopoly. During war time, the British Government made an appeal to the Indian leaders to join hands with them in their time of crisis. Indian leaders agreed but they put their own terms and conditions i.e. after the war was over, the British government would give Constitutional (legislative and administrative) powers to the Indian People. Unfortunately, the steps taken by the British government during the World War I created unrest among the Indian people. This was because the British government had taken a huge loan during war time which they had to repay. They increased rent from the land, i.e. lagan. They forcefully recruited Indians in the British Army. They increased the price of necessary goods and imposed taxes on personal and professional income. As a result, they had to face protest from the Society/”>Indian Society. Farmers and workers of Champaran, Bardoli, Kheda and Ahmedabad actively protested against the exploitative policies of British government. Lakhs of students left schools and colleges. Hundreds of lawyers gave up their practice. Women also significantly contributed in this movement and their participation became wider with the emergence of Gandhi. The boycott of foreign cloth became a mass movement, with thousands of bonfires of foreign cloth lighting the Indian sky.,
The Indian National Congress (INC) is one of the oldest Political Parties in the world. It was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant. The INC was initially a moderate organization that sought to achieve self-government for India through constitutional means. However, the INC became increasingly radical in the early 20th century, and it played a leading role in the Indian independence movement.
The INC was founded in response to the growing discontent among the Indian people with British rule. The British had ruled India for over 200 years, and they had imposed a System of Government that was based on their own interests. The Indian people had no say in their own government, and they were subject to a number of discriminatory laws.
The INC’s early leaders were mostly educated Indians who had been exposed to Western ideas of Democracy and self-government. They believed that India should be a self-governing country, and they worked to achieve this goal through constitutional means. The INC organized protests and demonstrations against British rule, and it lobbied the British government for greater self-government for India.
The INC’s efforts were met with resistance from the British government. The British were reluctant to give up their control over India, and they often used force to suppress the INC’s activities. However, the INC continued to grow in popularity, and it became the leading voice of Indian nationalism.
In the early 20th century, the INC became increasingly radical. The INC’s leaders began to believe that independence could only be achieved through mass protests and civil disobedience. The INC launched a number of Mass Movements against British rule, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934), and the Quit India Movement (1942).
The INC’s mass movements were met with violence from the British government. The British arrested and imprisoned INC leaders, and they used force to suppress the protests. However, the INC’s efforts were successful in bringing about Indian independence. In 1947, India gained independence from British rule.
The INC played a key role in the Indian independence movement. The INC’s leaders were instrumental in bringing about Indian independence, and the INC’s mass movements helped to pressure the British government to give up its control over India. The INC continues to be a major political party in India, and it is committed to the principles of democracy, Secularism-2/”>Secularism, and social justice.
The Indian National Congress has been a major force in Indian politics for over 100 years. It has played a key role in the independence movement, and it continues to be a major political party in India today. The INC is a broad-based party that represents a wide range of interests. It is committed to the principles of democracy, secularism, and social justice. The INC has a long and proud history, and it is likely to continue to play a major role in Indian politics for many years to come.
Factors responsible for the rise of Indian Nationalism
- Economic factors: The British East India Company had a monopoly on trade in India, which led to the exploitation of Indian resources and the impoverishment of the Indian people. This led to resentment and a desire for independence.
- Social factors: The British introduced a system of social stratification in India, which divided the Population into different castes and classes. This system was based on birth and was not open to change, which led to resentment and a desire for equality.
- Political factors: The British ruled India as a colony, with little regard for Indian interests. This led to a feeling of alienation and a desire for self-rule.
- Religious factors: The British were Christian, while the majority of Indians were Hindu or Muslim. This religious difference led to tensions between the British and the Indians, and contributed to the rise of nationalism.
Activities of Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1920
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by a group of Indian intellectuals and professionals. The INC’s goal was to achieve self-rule for India. The INC used a variety of methods to achieve its goal, including:
- Protests and demonstrations: The INC organized protests and demonstrations against British rule. These protests were often met with violence from the British, but they helped to raise awareness of the Indian independence movement.
- Satyagraha: Satyagraha is a form of nonviolent resistance that was developed by Mahatma Gandhi. Satyagraha involved refusing to cooperate with the British government and peacefully protesting against British rule.
- Non-cooperation movement: The non-cooperation movement was a major campaign of civil disobedience launched by the INC in 1920. The non-cooperation movement involved boycotting British goods and institutions, and withdrawing cooperation from the British government.
- Civil disobedience movement: The civil disobedience movement was another major campaign of civil disobedience launched by the INC in 1930. The civil disobedience movement involved breaking British laws and regulations, and peacefully protesting against British rule.
The INC’s activities helped to raise awareness of the Indian independence movement and to pressure the British government to grant India independence. In 1947, India gained independence from British rule.
Question 1
Which of the following was NOT a factor responsible for the rise of Indian nationalism?
(A) The British government’s policy of divide and rule
(B) The spread of Western education and ideas
(C) The economic exploitation of India by the British
(D) The Indian National Congress’s call for swaraj
Answer
(D) The Indian National Congress’s call for swaraj was a result of the rise of Indian nationalism, not a factor responsible for it.
Question 2
Which of the following was NOT an activity of the Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1920?
(A) Holding annual sessions
(B) Passing resolutions on political issues
(C) Organizing protests and demonstrations
(D) Forming a government in British India
Answer
(D) The Indian National Congress never formed a government in British India.
Question 3
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by a group of Indian intellectuals and professionals. The main objective of the Congress was to promote Indian nationalism and to achieve self-government for India. The Congress held its first session in Bombay in December 1885. The session was attended by about 72 delegates from all over India. The Congress adopted a moderate approach to achieve its objectives. It appealed to the British government to grant India self-government. The Congress also organized protests and demonstrations against British rule. In 1905, the Congress split into two factions: the Moderates and the Extremists. The Moderates wanted to achieve self-government through constitutional means, while the Extremists wanted to achieve it through revolutionary means. The Congress reunited in 1916. In 1920, the Congress adopted the Non-Cooperation Movement, which was a major turning point in the Indian independence struggle. The Non-Cooperation Movement was a mass movement that involved millions of Indians. The movement was successful in forcing the British government to make some concessions to the Indian nationalists. The Congress continued to play a leading role in the Indian independence struggle until India gained independence in 1947.
Question 4
Which of the following was the most important outcome of the Indian National Congress’s activities from 1885 to 1920?
(A) The Congress helped to promote Indian nationalism.
(B) The Congress helped to achieve self-government for India.
(C) The Congress helped to unite the Indian people against British rule.
(D) The Congress helped to bring about the end of British rule in India.
Answer
(C) The Congress helped to unite the Indian people against British rule.