THE BIRTH OF INDIAN NATIONALISM AND ITS CAUSES

Nationalism implies the emergence of a common political consciousness which the people of a subjugated country share among themselves for the purpose of winning self-rule. The struggle for independence of India was inspired by this nationalism at an advanced stage of our society.

CAUSES: There were certain causes for the birth and rapid growth of nationalism in India in the 19^th century. These are as follows:

1.     Effect of the first war of independence: The people of India took inspiration from the Sepoy Mutiny. It brought a sense of consciousness among the people of India for the cause of the country.

2.     Social and Religious Movements: Many socio religious organizations did a great deal of work for the resurgence and national awakening of the 19^th.

3.     Western Education: The spread of western education played a significant role in the growth of national awakening. The people of India came in contact with the political philosophy of Western thinkers and they could realize the importance of nationalism and democracy.

4.     Role of the Press: The press exposed the misdeeds of the British government and put forward the views of the national leaders. It made the people politically conscious to stand for the common cause of the country.

5.     Social Change: English education created an enlightened class of people who were free from superstitions and outmoded customs. These people took up the cause of the people. Improved means of communication and common medium of instructions made it possible for the people to communicate with one another.

6.     Economic Discontent: The colonial administration destroyed Indian trade, industries and agriculture. The economic policy was mainly responsible for the discontentment among the Indians.

7.     Repressive measures of Lord Lytton: The repressive measures introduced by Lord Lytton made the British administration very unpopular.

8.     Racial Discrimination: The white officials pursued the policy of racial segregation; they looked down on the natives and the Indians felt humiliated by their behavior.

It thus appears that various factors were responsible for the growth of nationalism in India.

PHASES OF INDIAN NATIONALIST MOVEMENT

The nationalist movement may be divided into three phases.

FIRST PHASE [1885-1905]: The liberation movement took a systemic shape with the birth of the Indian National Congress. The nationalist movement was started by a group of western intellectuals. This phase is known as the era of liberalism or the moderate phase. The leaders adopted the policy of securing reforms through peaceful and constitutional means. The Congress from 1885 to 1905 submitted petitions to the British Government for bringing about reforms.

SECOND PHASE [1905- 1920] Era of Extremism: Lokmanya Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai disagreed with the policies and methods of the moderates. These leaders were known as extremists or militant nationalists. They were in favor of complete independence. In 1906 they were able to take control of the Congress party but in1907 at the Surat Congress, there was a split in the Congress and from then onwards the moderates were in control of the Congress party and the nationalist movement.

THIRD PHASE [1920-1947] Era of Gandhism: Gandhiji came to the forefront of Indian politics in the year 1919.He took up the leadership of the Congress and led the freedom movement till India achieved her independence n1947. He adopted truthfulness and non violent means for the attainment of Swaraj.

TERRORISM Although the national movement was by and large non-violent and peaceful, the revolutionaries also came into the picture in the first decade of the 20^th century. Repressive policy of the British, partition of Bengal, impact of movements of some European countries, misrule of the British etc., were responsible of the terrorists. They believed in armed rebellion against the British.

It can be concluded that such a history of freedom struggle is rare in history of the world. A movement which was started by some western intellectuals, became a mass movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi The movement was more or less peaceful but it compelled the mighty British government to hand over power to India.

FREEDOM STRUGGLE

The struggle for freedom in India began in an organized way with the birth of the Congress in 1885.By 1905, the nature of freedom struggle had undergone definite change. Bengal was partitioned during the rule of Curzon to bring about disunity among the Hindus and Muslims. The partition of Bengal created ill feeling among the Indians against the British.

Swadeshi Movement: In 1905, the extremist leaders made their mark in the history of the freedom struggle. They launched a movement for the adoption of Swadeshi or home-made goods. They asked the people to boycott foreign goods. But the British suppressed this movement. However, it made the people self conscious and prepared them for making further sacrifices for the cause of the country.

Home Rule Movement: Mrs. Annie Besant started the Home Rule Movement in 1916. The main aim of the movement was complete self government from village councils to the national parliament. The main contribution of this movement was that it brought about the reunion of the two wings of the Congress.

Khilafat Movement: The Khilafat movement is of great significance in the history of the freedom movement in India. It brought about Hindu –Muslim unity. Turkey was defeated in the First World War by the allies and the authority of the Khalifa, the ruler of the Ottoman Empire was not recognised.  The Indian Muslims rallied around the Khalifa. The movement started with the observance of the Khilafat Day on 17^th October, 1919.Gandhiji also associated himself with the movement and the Muslims in turn supported him during the Non-Cooperation movement.

Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy: The Imperial Legislative Council passed the Rowlatt Bill in 1919.This law enabled the government to put any person behind the bar for an indefinite period. Gandhiji opposed the law and called for Satyagraha. The people in Amritsar took out a procession and as a result of disturbances some Europeans were killed. On April 13, 1919 a very large number of people went to Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate Baisakhi, while some reached there to hold a peaceful rally to register their protest. General Dyer went there and ordered his troops to fire until ammunition was exhausted. In this incident a large number of people were killed. This tragedy was condemned by all sections of the people of India.

Non –Cooperation Movement: The special session of the Congress at Calcutta accepted Gandhiji’s proposal of non-cooperation. The movement was launched in 1920. It gained massive from all sections of the society and a mass base was established for the freedom struggle.

Complete Independence Resolution: The Lahore session of the Congress passed the resolution for complete independence on31st December, 1939.The Congress also gave a call to the people of India to celebrate January 26 as Purna Swaraj Day. There was no other alternative but to demand complete independence as the British Government did not pay attention to the demands of the people of India.

Civil Disobedience Movement: The British Government was continuing with their repressive policies. Gandhiji made another appeal to the British Government but there was no response. The Congress therefore decided to start a Civil Disobedience Movement and Gandhiji made the famous Dandi March. The people started civil disobedience movement throughout the country. The British took repressive measures. The Simon Commission Report was published in 1930 but it was rejected by all the political parties. The British government convened the First-Round table Conference but the Congress could not attend it, Gandhiji attended the 2^nd Round Table Conference but there was no agreement among the delegates. As a result, Gandhiji resumed the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Quit India Movement: The Cripps Mission visited India in 1942 but it proved a failure. In the 2^nd World War Japanese forces marched towards South East Asia which caused anxiety for the security and integrity of India. The Congress had no other alternative but to ask the British to leave India .The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress on 9^th August ,1942.

In the meantime, the labour party won the elections in Britain and Clement Attlee became the Prime Minister. He sent a Cabinet Mission Plan to India to discuss with the Indian leaders the framing of a new constitution for the country. The plan was released on May 16,1946. It gave important recommendations for India. This was widely appreciated by the Indians.

Mountbatten Plan and Partition of India: The Muslim started its direct-action programme on March 16, 1946.Mountbatten, the Viceroy of India offered his plan of partition. It was accepted by the Muslim and the Congress. According to this plan, the Muslim majority provinces of Punjab, Bengal, Sindh, NWFP and the district of Sylhet in Assam were given the option of either joining with the Indian Union or Pakistan.