Rise of Indian Nationalism Overview

Overview

• Topic: Chapter 11 — Rise of Indian Nationalism.
• Focus: Causes of nationalism, early political associations, formation and phases of the Indian National Congress, moderate and extremist methods, key events (Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi movement).
• Timeframe emphasized: mid-19th century to early 20th century (1885–1918 mainly).

Nationalism: Definition And Causes

• Nationalism: shared territory, culture, history, and aspirations for independence from foreign rule.
• British rule unintentionally fostered national unity by:
  • Introducing uniform laws and administration.
  • Expanding railways, telegraphs, roads, and canals — improving interregional communication.
  • Promoting English-medium education, creating a common language among educated Indians.
  • Indian vernacular press and Western education spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Economic and social grievances that fueled nationalism:
  • British economic exploitation and deindustrialization (stifling Indian textile industry).
  • Racial discrimination and oppressive policies (Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act).
  • High military expenditure and increased taxes.
  • Restrictive rules for civil service entry (ICS age reduced from 21 to 19 in 1877).

Key Repressive Policies (Causes Of Political Mobilization)

• Arms Act (1878): restricted Indians from keeping arms, punishable by law.
• Vernacular Press Act: prohibited Indian-language newspapers from criticizing British policies; allowed seizure and closure.
• Economic measures: policies that harmed Indian industries and increased fiscal burdens.
• Administrative discrimination: limited Indian participation in judiciary and administration.

Early Political Associations And Leaders

• 1850s–1880s: educated Indians began forming political associations to voice discontent.
• Important associations and formations:
  • East India Association (1860) — formed by Dadabhai Naoroji in England to create public opinion.
  • Sarvajanik Sabha (established by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and M.G. Ranade) — public, open forum for Indian issues.
  • Indian Association (1876) — formed by Surendranath Banerjee in Calcutta.
• Notable publications and works:
  • Dadabhai Naoroji — "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" criticizing economic exploitation and suppression of civil liberties.

Birth Of The Indian National Congress

• Reason: need for an all-India organization to represent Indian public opinion and political demands.
• First session:
  • Location: Bombay (Mumbai).
  • Date: 28 December 1885.
  • Delegates: 72.
• Congress role: central to India’s freedom movement from 1885 to 1947.

Phases Of The Indian National Congress

• Congress can be divided into four broad phases:
  1. Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
  2. Extremist Phase (1905–1918)
  3. Gandhian Phase (approx. 1919–1939)
  4. Final Nationalist Phase (1939–1947)

Moderate Phase (1885–1905): Goals And Methods

• Key leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, Pherozeshah Mehta, T. Subramania Iyer, Badruddin Tyabji, G. K. Gokhale, Ramesh Chandra Dutt.
• Beliefs and tactics:
  • Influenced by Western education and constitutional methods.
  • Aimed to create political consciousness, not immediate self-government.
  • Preferred petitions, public meetings, speeches, newspapers, and legal appeals.
  • Demands included more Indian representation in administration, ICS examinations held in India, higher age limit for ICS, reduction of land revenue and military expenditure, increased spending on irrigation and education, separation of executive and judiciary, and protection for Indian laborers abroad.
• British response:
  • Indian Councils Act (1892) increased Indian representation but granted no real power.
  • Government hostility increased; officials discouraged association with Congress.
• Significance:
  • Established democratic and constitutional traditions in Indian political life.

Extremist Phase (1905–1918): Causes, Leaders, And Methods

• Causes: Frustration with slow reforms, widespread unemployment, oppressive policies, and events like famines and high taxes.
• Key leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosh, among others.
• Methods and ideology:
  • Assertive, mass-based politics; less faith in petitions and polite appeals.
  • Emphasized national pride, direct action, and mobilization of masses.
  • Use of festivals and public celebrations (Ganapati festivals, Shivaji commemorations) to organize people and build political consciousness.
  • Slogan by Tilak: "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it."
• Cultural mobilization:
  • Patriotic songs like "Vande Mataram" (Bankim Chandra Chatterjee) inspired mass sentiment.
  • Rabindranath Tagore composed "Amar Sonar Bangla" during anti-partition movement.

Partition Of Bengal (1905) And The Anti-Partition Movement

• Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal (1905):
  • Claimed administrative efficiency; in practice, partition was along religious lines.
  • East Bengal (Muslim majority, roughly modern Bangladesh) separated from West Bengal (Hindu majority).
• Reaction:
  • Seen as an attempt to break Bengali unity; sparked wide anti-partition agitation.
  • Movement included large processions, rallies, and boycott of British goods (Swadeshi).
  • Cultural nationalism spread across India; songs and slogans united people.
• Outcome: Strengthened mass nationalism and prompted wider support for extremist tactics.

Swadeshi And Boycott Movement

• Strategy: boycott British goods and promote indigenous products (Swadeshi) to hurt colonial economy.
• Adopted widely during anti-partition agitation as a new form of mass protest led by extremists.

Key Terms And Definitions

Important Dates And Facts

Action Items / Next Steps For Students

• Memorize key dates: 28 December 1885 (First INC session), 1860 (East India Association).
• Learn names and roles of moderate and extremist leaders separately.
• Understand causes and effects of Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi movement.
• Review definitions of repressive laws (Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act) and their impact on nationalist mobilization.

Summary

• British administrative integration and Western education unintentionally created conditions for Indian nationalism.
• Early political associations and leaders channeled grievances into organized demands.
• The Indian National Congress emerged in 1885 and evolved through moderate and extremist phases.
• The Partition of Bengal (1905) and subsequent Swadeshi movement marked the rise of mass-based nationalism and direct action.