Growth of Modern Nationalism - UPSC Modern History Notes

Nationalism in India during the colonial period was indeed a political and cultural movement that sought to promote a sense of national identity and pride among Indians. The economic, social, and political changes brought about by British colonial rule played a significant role in shaping the growth of nationalism.

The British policies of economic exploitation, land reforms, and the imposition of heavy taxes on Indian goods had a profound impact on the Indian economy and society. These policies led to the disruption of traditional industries, the impoverishment of rural communities, and the displacement of many artisans and craftsmen.
As a result, a new class of educated Indians emerged, comprising lawyers, professionals, intellectuals, and businessmen. This class became the vanguard of the nationalist movement and played a crucial role in articulating and advocating for nationalist ideas.
Literature, art, and music became powerful tools for expressing nationalist sentiments. Indian writers, poets, and artists depicted the richness of Indian culture, celebrated its history and traditions, and critiqued the oppressive nature of colonial rule. The works of writers such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore, and Sarojini Naidu inspired a sense of pride and nationalism among Indians.
Furthermore, the growth of nationalism in India was closely tied to the political activities of organizations like the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC, founded in 1885, initially aimed to seek representation for Indians in the colonial administration. However, over time, it became the leading platform for nationalist aspirations and demands for self-rule.
Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Mahatma Gandhi emerged as prominent figures within the nationalist movement. They advocated for political reforms, civil rights, and eventually, complete independence from British rule.
The nationalist movement also witnessed various forms of protest and resistance against colonial rule. Boycotts of British goods, mass movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement, and acts of civil disobedience were employed to challenge British authority and assert Indian identity.
In summary, the economic, social, and political changes brought about by British colonial rule in India led to the emergence of Indian nationalism. It was a response to the challenges and aspirations of the Indian people who sought to assert their identity, protect their culture, and achieve self-determination. The growth of nationalism during this period laid the foundation for India’s eventual independence in 1947.

The growth of Indian nationalism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has evolved over several centuries. It is rooted in the aspirations of the Indian people for self-determination, cultural preservation, and political independence.

Here are some key factors that have contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism:

Colonial Rule: The period of British colonial rule in India (1757-1947) played a significant role in shaping Indian nationalism. The oppressive policies, economic exploitation, cultural alienation, and political subjugation by the British ignited a sense of collective resistance among Indians. The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, became the main platform for nationalist activities.
Socio-Religious Reform Movements: The 19th century witnessed the rise of socio-religious reform movements in India, such as the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj. These movements aimed to challenge social evils, promote education and revive indigenous cultural practices. They also played a crucial role in fostering a sense of pride in Indian heritage and creating a foundation for nationalist sentiments.
Role of Intellectuals: Indian intellectuals and thinkers played a vital role in articulating and promoting nationalist ideas. Figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Rabindranath Tagore advocated for Indian cultural revival, self-reliance, and political freedom. Their writings and speeches inspired a sense of pride and unity among Indians.
Partition of Bengal (1905): The British decision to partition Bengal along religious lines in 1905 sparked widespread protests and nationalist fervor. This event led to mass mobilization, boycotts, and a resurgence of cultural and political consciousness among Indians. The Swadeshi movement, which called for the use of indigenous goods, and the promotion of national education emerged as a powerful tool of resistance.
Mahatma Gandhi and Nonviolent Resistance: Mahatma Gandhi emerged as the leader of the Indian National Congress in the early 20th century and became the face of the Indian nationalist movement. He advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as a means to challenge British rule. His emphasis on self-reliance, grassroots mobilization, and inclusivity helped galvanize the masses and made the freedom struggle a mass movement.
Unity in Diversity: India’s incredible diversity, encompassing various languages, religions, and cultural practices, has also contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism. The idea of “unity in diversity” has been a central theme, emphasizing the need to forge a common identity that transcends regional, linguistic, and religious differences.
Impact of World War I and II: The participation of Indian soldiers in World War I and II on behalf of the British Empire had a profound impact on Indian nationalism. The disillusionment and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers, coupled with the contrast between the rhetoric of freedom and the reality of colonial rule, fueled nationalist sentiments and demands for independence.
Post-Independence Nation-Building: After India gained independence in 1947, the process of nation-building further strengthened Indian nationalism. Policies promoting secularism, democratic governance, and social justice were enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Efforts to bridge regional and linguistic divides, promote economic development, and protect cultural diversity have contributed to a continued sense of Indian nationalism.
It is important to note that the growth of Indian nationalism is a complex and ongoing process, and it continues to evolve in response to various social, political, and economic factors.

For over a century, the British exploited the Indian masses, breeding hatred and animosity toward them. The introduction of Western education opened the eyes of Indians to the British Raj’s colonial rule. Indian nationalism grew as a result of colonial policies and as a reaction to colonial policies. In fact, it would be more accurate to view Indian nationalism as the result of a confluence of factors.

Table of Contents

The extensive list of factors that contributed to the rise of Indian nationalism during the colonial period. Here is a summary of the factors:

People United Politically Under the British Rule

People became politically unified under British hegemony.
There was one rule, one administrative framework, one set of laws, and one set of administrative officers that unified people politically.
People became aware that vast India belonged to them, instilling a sense of nationalism in them.

Communication and Transportation Advancements

Lord Dalhousie made a lasting contribution to Indians by introducing railways, telegraphs, and a new postal system. Roads were built from one end of the country to the other.
Even though all of this was intended to serve imperial interests, the people of India capitalized on it. The train compartment mirrored a united India.
It bridged the gap between them and gave them the sense that they all belonged to this vast India under the control of the British Raj.

Influence of Western Education

The introduction of English education in 1835 marked a watershed moment in the British administration.
Its primary goal was to educate the Indian masses so that they would be loyal servants of the British Raj.
However, as time passed, English-educated Indians became forerunners in India’s sociopolitical, economic, and religious reforms.
Raja Rammohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Ferozeshah Mehta, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Surendranath Banerjee all fought for liberty, equality, and humanitarianism.
English-educated Indians gradually became the torchbearers of Indian nationalism, instilling national consciousness in the minds of millions of Indians.

India’s glorious past

Several avenues in the field of oriental studies were opened up by the nineteenth-century Indian Renaissance.
Western scholars such as Max Muller, Sir William Jones, Alexander Cunningham, and others translated several ancient Sanskrit texts from this land, establishing the glorious cultural heritage of India before the people.
They inspired Indian scholars such as R.D. Banerjee and R.G. Bhandarkar. Mahan Mukhopadhyaya, Hara Prasad Astir, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and others rediscovered India’s past glory from its history.
This encouraged the people of India, who felt they were the ancestors of this country’s grand monarchs and were being ruled by foreigners. This fanned the flames of nationalism.

Movements for Socio-Religious Reform

In the nineteenth century, the socio-religious reform movements led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Annie Besant, Syed Ahmad Khan, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and Vivekananda brought about a national awakening in India.
The abolition of Sati and the introduction of widow remarriage resulted in social reforms in India.
Indians gained an understanding of the concepts of liberty, equality, freedom, and social disparities.
This reawakened the people’s minds and instilled a sense of nationalism.

Growth of Vernacular Literature

The influence of Western education compelled educated Indians to express the concepts of liberty, freedom, and nationalism through vernacular literature.
They aimed to incite the masses to oppose British rule by instilling a sense of nationalism in them.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Anand Math and Dinabandhu Metra’s play Nil Darpan wielded enormous power over the people and instilled anti-British feelings in them.
The play Baraga Purdahs by Bharatendu Harishchandra reflected the plight of the Indian masses under British rule.
Aside from several eminent poets and writers in various languages, such as Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali, Vishnushastri Chipulunkar in Marathi, Laminate Bezbaruah in Assamese, Mohammad Husain Azad and Altaf Husain Ali in Urdu, their writings helped to rouse nationalism among the local people.

Role of Press

Newspapers and magazines were critical in instilling a sense of nationalism in Indians.
Raja Rammohan Roy edited Persian journals such as ‘Mirat-ul-Akhbar’ and the Bengali newspaper ‘Sambad Kaimiudi.’
Similarly, several newspapers, such as Hindu Patriot, Bangalee, Amrit bazar patrika, Sudharani, and Sanjivani in Bengali; Indu Prakash in Maharashtra, Native Opinion, Kesari, Koh-i-Noor, Akhbar-i-Am and ‘The Tribune’ in Punjab, reflected British rule and aroused feelings of nationalism among people.

The First War of Independence’s Memory

The memory of the Revolt of 1857 instilled in the Indians a sense of nationalism.
After becoming aware of the British’s bad intentions, the heroic roles of Rani Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb, Tayta Tope, and other leaders became fresh in the minds of the people.
This instilled in the people a desire to fight the British.

The Ilbert Bill Controversy

The Ilbert Bill was passed during Lord Ripon’s tenure as Viceroy. It gave Indian judges the authority to try the Europeans.
It sparked outrage among Europeans, who pushed for a change in the bill, including a provision requiring an Indian to try a European in the presence of a European witness.
This clearly exposed the British authorities’ deception and projected their racial animosity.

Antagonism Between Races

The British considered themselves superior to Indians and never offered them good jobs regardless of their merits or intelligence.
The Indian Civil Service examination was held in England, and the age limit was 21.
Aurobindo Ghosh passed the written exam but was disqualified from horseback riding and did not pass the ICS exams. The British purposefully disqualified them.
They believed that Indians were brown and unfit to rule and that it was the white man’s responsibility to rule them. This inflamed people’s resentment of British rule.

Economic Exploitation

Britishers economically exploited India by draining wealth from India to Britain, as expressed in Dada Bhai Naoroji’s ‘Drain Theory.’
Following the Industrial Revolution in England, the British needed raw materials and markets, which were met by draining the raw materials of India and using Indian markets.
The landlords, guided by Britishers, exploited the Indian masses and further exploited the Indian economy.
The ‘Drain Theory’ of Dadabhai Naoroji, Ranade, and G.V. Joshi raised awareness about the exploitation of Indian handicrafts, which mirrored the exploitative nature of Britishers toward the Indian economy.
This ruined India’s factories, handicrafts, and economy, leaving the Indian people impoverished and filled with resentment toward the British.

Formation of the Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. It expressed the Indian people’s desire in front of the British.
The mass movements and leaders played an important role in the development of people’s national consciousness.
The Indian National Congress enabled the Indians to wage ideological battles against the British, resulting in India’s independence.
Moderates such as Dada Bhai Naoroji and S.N. Banerjee, as well as extremists such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, all played important roles in instilling a sense of nationalism in Indians.

Bengal’s Partition (1905)

Lord Curzon, the British viceroy, was in charge of partitioning Bengal in 1905.
Since 1765, Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa had been united as a single province of British India.
By 1900, the province had grown too large for a single administration to handle. East Bengal had been overlooked in favor of West Bengal and Bihar due to its isolation and poor communication.
Partition was opposed by the Hindus of West Bengal, who controlled the majority of Bengal’s commerce, professional, and rural life. They saw the partition as an attempt to suffocate nationalism in Bengal, where it was stronger than elsewhere.
The Indian National Congress was transformed from a middle-class pressure group into a nationwide mass movement as a result of this.

Bengal’s Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi Movement arose from Bengal’s anti-partition movement.
The decision escalated the protest meeting, resulting in the passage of a Boycott resolution in a massive meeting held in Calcutta Town Hall, as well as the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement.
The extremists dominated the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal. They proposed new forms of struggle. The movement primarily advocated a boycott of foreign goods, as well as mass mobilization through public meetings and processions.
Self-sufficiency, or ‘Atma Shakti,’ as well as Swadeshi education and enterprise, were emphasized.
Several families remained active to ensure mass participation, and songs written by Rabindranath Tagore, Rajanikanta Sen, Dwijendralal Ray, Mukunda Das, and others inspired the masses in the cultural sphere.
Soon after, the movement spread to other parts of the country, with Tilak leading in Pune and Bombay, Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh leading in Punjab, Syed Haider Raza leading in Delhi, and Chidambaram Pillai leading in Madras.

FAQs

1. Q: What were the key factors that contributed to the growth of modern nationalism in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

A: The growth of modern nationalism was influenced by several factors, including the rise of print culture, economic changes, the spread of education, and the impact of Enlightenment ideas. The emergence of a common identity, shared history, and a desire for self-determination played crucial roles.

2. Q: How did the impact of colonialism contribute to the rise of nationalism in various regions?

A: Colonialism played a significant role in fostering nationalist sentiments. The exploitation of native resources, cultural imposition, and denial of political rights by colonial powers triggered a sense of resentment and a collective desire for independence. Nationalist movements often emerged as a response to colonial oppression.

3. Q: What role did cultural and literary movements play in shaping modern nationalist ideologies?

A: Cultural and literary movements played a pivotal role in shaping modern nationalist ideologies by promoting a shared cultural identity and heritage. Writers, poets, and intellectuals often used their works to articulate the aspirations of the people and to create a sense of unity and pride in their cultural roots.

4. Q: How did World War I impact the growth of nationalism in different parts of the world?

A: World War I had a profound impact on the growth of nationalism. The war exposed the weaknesses of colonial powers, and the promises of self-determination made by the Allied powers fueled nationalist aspirations. The post-war period saw a surge in anti-colonial movements, contributing to the dismantling of empires.

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Growth of Modern Nationalism – UPSC Modern History Notes