The Emergence of Nationalism

Introduction

The rise of nationalism in India is directly related to British oppression. Initially, India was a group of many Princely states and kingdoms. Later the Britishers occupied Indian territories and imposed their rules and administrative institutions on India. Britishers were determined to gain as much profit as they could.

They adopted harsh measures like heavy taxation on peasants and merchants. All the Indians irrespective of their cast, creed, religion, language and region were affected by the exploitative nature of the Britishers. There was a growing discontent toward British rule. Many people were dissatisfied with British rule because it interfered with religious practices and traditions. This discontentment of Indians towards British rule was firstly seen in 1857. After the revolt of 1857, the educated class adopted a more civilised way of protest and formed multiple political associations. After the 1870s, multiple political associations and civil societies were formed, which were determined to raise the voices against British exploitation.

Gandhi during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930. Photograph taken at the Sardar Patel National Memorial, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

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The Emergence of Nationalism

• After the revolt of 1857, people were determined to end British rule.

• There was a growth of consciousness among Indians, that British rule was exploitative and should be rooted out.

• The English-educated class played a major role in spreading the consciousness among Indians.

• They spread the idea of self-rule for the Indians.

• After the 1870s multiple political associations were formed, such as Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Madras Mahajan Sabha, The Indian Association and the Bombay Presidency Association.

• The term Poona Sarvaganik Sabha meant that it was for all the people.

• The goal of the such association was not the goal of any fixed class, community or region. Their goal was the goal associated with all the Indians.

• The associations were based on the idea that the people of India should be sovereign.

• The main aim of such associations was to empower people to make their own decisions.

• Britishers took steps to disengage those associations and tried to end them.

• The Arms act was introduced in 1878 which disallowed Indians from possessing any weapons.

• In 1878 the Vernacular Press Act was also introduced, it was aimed at silencing people who were critical of the government. The Act gave the government the power to seize and close the printing press if any objectionable content was found in the Newspaper.

INC Meeting

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• The Britishers also take back the Ilbert bill, which gave equal power to an Indian judge as an English Judge. It showed the racial discrimination of Britishers.

• After seeing the harsh measures by the British government, Indian seek to form an All-India association and later in 1885, 72 delegates met in Bombay and formed the Indian National Congress.

A Nation in the Making

• The objectives and methods of congress were moderate for 20 years.

• Congress demanded the increased participation of Indians in the legislative council, for a greater voice for Indians.

• Congress demanded high positions for Indians in administration and to conduct civil services exams in India, not only in London.

• Congress leaders also raised several economic issues; they declared that the export of Indian food grains and high land revenue had impoverished the peasants and British rule was the cause of famines in India.

• Congress demanded the reduction of taxes, removal of salt law, a decrease in military expenditure and more funds for irrigation. These resolutions by congress showed that although it was a party made by educated elites it never talked only about the issues of elites.

• Congress was determined to work for welfare and better conditions for the poor.

Gandhi During the Salt March

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Freedom is Our Birthright

Initially, Congress demanded reforms and inclusion of Indians in the administration and to break the monopoly of Britishers in every sector. The policy of congress was politics of prayers.

• After the 1900s many leaders inside the congress were not in support of its attitude towards the British.

• These leaders called for complete freedom or Swarajya.

• The idea of Swarajya was given by Bal GangaDhar Tilak, who was a radical leader from congress. He gave the slogan, “Swarajya is my Birthright and I shall have it”.

• Many leaders like Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal and others were dissatisfied with the policies of congress and the congress was divided into two factions, Radical and Moderates.

• The Radicals were in support of complete freedom from British rule and they were ready to use Violent means for their cause.

• After the partition of Bengal in 1905, the Radical leaders became more active and they started the swadeshi movement all over India, in which people Boycott British goods and gave preference to Indian goods.

• People protested on roads and burned British goods on roads. For the first time, the Indian national movement was taking the shape of a nationwide movement.

Conclusion

The emergence of Nationalism in India was a gradual process, as people saw the ill effects of British rule, they protested against it. The political association made by the English-educated class of Indians played a major role in spreading consciousness in India. People started demanding complete freedom and the Indian national congress became the face of the Indian national movement.

FAQs

Q1. What was the reason for people's dissatisfaction with British rule?

Ans. British rule was exploitative, they increased the taxes and revenues, and they exported food grains to Europe which caused food shortages and famines in India. The Britishers introduced many bills like the Arms act and the Vernacular press act which silenced the voice of Indians.

Q2. What was the difference between Moderates and Radicals?

Ans. Moderates were determined to make Indian voices heard in the legislative council and they focus on constitutional methods. On the other hand, Radicals wanted complete freedom from British rule.

Q3. How the Radicals criticised the Moderates?

Ans. Radicals criticised Moderates on the grounds of their attitude toward British rule, they claimed that Moderates were doing the Politics of Prayer and it won't work.

Q4. What was the Vernacular Press act?

Ans. The vernacular press act was introduced in 1878 and it was proposed by lord Lytton. This act gave the government power to close the newspaper and even seize the printing press if the contents in the newspaper criticised the British rule. This act was introduced to curb the growing spread of dissatisfaction with British rule.

Q5. What was the Swadeshi Movement?

Ans. Swadeshi movement was started after the partition of Bengal in 1905. This movement focused on the Boycott of British Goods and gave preference to Indian goods. People marched on streets singing Vande Mataram and Boycotted and burned the British goods on roads.