Question

The period from 1885 to 1905 was dominated by the Early Nationalists. In this context, answer the following questions:

1. To which section of society did they belong? What were their demands?
2. What methods did they adopt?
3. How did the Early Nationalists help in the growth of nationalism in India?

Answer 1

1. Members of this group came from the educated middle class, including lawyers, barristers, teachers, and bureaucrats. Many of them were educated in England and believed that the British intended to be fair to Indians, but they were uninformed of the true situation in India. They demanded:
   1. Constitutional Reforms: Abolition of the Indian Councils.Expansion of the Legislative Councils created by the Act of 1861.Early in the 20th century, nationalists began demanding self-government similar to the self-governing colonies of Canada and the USA.
   2. Administrative Reforms: Indianisation of the higher ranks of Indian Services.Holding recruitment exams for the Indian Civil Services simultaneously in both England and India.Separation of executive and judicial powers.Adequate representation of Indians in the Viceroy's Executive Council and those of the Governors.Increase in the power of local governing bodies.
   3. Socio-Economic Reforms: Reduction of land revenue and providing affordable loans to peasants.Complete abolition of the salt-tax and duty on sugar.Industrial growth through tariff protection and government support.Reduction in military spending and using the savings for social services like health and education.
   4. Safeguarding Civil Liberties: Opposed the restrictions placed by the British Government on freedom of speech and the press.Demanded the right to assemble and form associations.
2. The methods adopted by the Early Nationalists were as follows:
   1. The Early Nationalists believed in constitutional agitation, meaning they worked within the legal system and aimed for slow, steady political progress.
   2. To educate people in modern politics, raise national political awareness, and create public opinion, they used the following methods:
      1. They held meetings where speeches were given and resolutions for popular demands were passed.
      2. They used the press to criticise government policies and spread awareness.
      3. They sent memorandums and petitions to government officials and the British Parliament. These petitions were carefully written with facts and arguments, but the main purpose was to educate the Indian people.
   3. To influence the British government and public, the Early Nationalists followed these methods:
      1. They used the three P's: Petitions, Prayers, and Protests. They sent petitions, requests, and protest letters to the British government to highlight the problems faced by Indians.
      2. In 1889, they established the British Committee of the Indian National Congress in London, which published a weekly journal called India to present India's issues to the British public.
      3. Indian leaders were sent to Britain as deputations to carry out active political propaganda and raise awareness about India's concerns.
3. The Early Nationalists contributed to the growth of nationalism in India in the following ways:
   1. They created a national awakening, making people realise they belonged to one country, India. This helped Indians understand their shared political, economic, and cultural interests.
   2. They trained people in politics by spreading ideas of democracy, civil liberties, secularism, and nationalism.
   3. They exposed the true nature of British rule, making people aware of the economic exploitation by British imperialism. This weakened the foundation of British rule in India.
   4. Their political and economic programmes emphasised that India should be governed in the interests of Indians.
   5. Their efforts led to important reforms, including:
      1. The appointment of a Public Service Commission in 1886.
      2. A House of Commons resolution (1893) for simultaneous exams for the I.C.S. in London and India.
      3. The appointment of the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure (1895).
      4. The passing of the Indian Councils Act of 1892.
         These achievements of the Early Nationalists laid the foundation for the future national movement.