INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

HISTORY RESEARCH PAPER

Title:

NATIONALISM IN INDIA

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

ADV. BINDU DUBEY

SUBMITTED BY

PRAGYA CHAMPAWAT

SY /BA-LLB (Hons.)

ROLL NO:

81012018003

DATE OF SUBMISSION:
INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
 INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work reported in this project report entitled “NATIONALISM
IN INDIA ” submitted by Pragya Champawat. I have duly acknowledged all the sources
from which the ideas and extracts have been taken. To the best of my understanding, the project
is free from any plagiarism issue.

(Signature of the Candidate.)

PRAGYA CHAMPAWAT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to convey my heartful thanks to my History teacher Adv.

Bindu Dubey who who gave me this golden opportunity to prepare
Research Paper on Nationalism in India. She guided me throughout the
project. She helped me to understand and remember all the important
details of the project which I would have otherwise lost. I am very much
thankful to her for her dedication. Through this research I came to know
about so many new things.
I am making this project not only for marks but to also to increase my
knowledge.
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RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 Identify the causes that led the rise of Nationalism in India.

 Trace the emergence of Indian National Congress.
 Discuss the various stages of the National Movement in India.
 List the names of prominent leaders of the Indian National Movement
discuss.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The method utilized in this research is the method of doctrinal research. This is
because doctrinal research involves systematic analysis of different research
paper, reading different sources of history to get a deep knowledge of the issue.
The subject of my research covers such an area of the history where you can’t
conduct a field work. This requires the study of different research papers, books
articles related to French revolution and hence the use of this methodology.
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 ORIGIN OF NATIONALISM IN INDIA

The First World War broke out in 1919 in Europe it had far-reaching
consequences in the entire world. It ignited the fight for India’s independence!
It ignited the spirit of nationalism in India. The rise of Nationalism is reflected
in the spirit of Renaissance in Europe when freedom from religious
restrictions led to the enhancement of national identity. Nationalism in India
emerged in the 19th Century after the revolt of 1857.

 RISE OF NATIONALISM IN INDIA

For India, the making of national identity was a long process whose roots can be
drawn from the ancient era. It was in the 19th Century that the concept of a
national identity and national consciousness emerged.
The social, economic and political factors had inspired the idea of national
identity in people. People began discovering their unity in the process of their
struggle against colonialism. The sense of being oppressed under colonial rule
instigated a shared bond that tied different groups together. Several other causes
also contributed towards the rise and growth of Nationalism. One set of laws of
British Government across several regions led to political and administrative
unity. This strengthened the concept of citizenship and one nation among
Indians. The economic exploitation by the British agitated other people to unite
and react against British Government’s control over their lives and resources.
The social and religious reform movements of the 19th century also contributed
to the feeling of Nationalism. The intellectual and spiritual side of Nationalism
was voiced by persons like Bankim Chandra Chatterji, Swami Dayanand
Saraswati and Aurobindo Ghosh. Bankim Chandra’s hymn to the Motherland,
‘Vande Matram’ became the rallying cry of patriotic nationalists. It inspired
generations to supreme self-sacrifice. Simultaneously, it created a fear in the
minds of the British. The impact was so strong that the British had to ban the
song. Similarly, Swami Vivekananda’s message to the people, “Arise, awake
and stop not till the goal is reached”, appealed to the Indians. It acted as a potent
force in the course of Indian Nationalism. The establishment of printing press
helped in wide circulation of ideas like liberty, equality and fraternity. All these
factors helped in the spread of Nationalism among the people of India.
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 Factors behind growth of Nationalism

1. POLITICAL CAUSE

One of the significant results of the British conquest of India was the
establishment of a centralized state. It brought about a political and
administrative unification of the country.

The pre- British India was divided into numerous feudal states frequently
struggling among themselves to extend their boundaries. The British
authority established a centralized state structure in India with a uniform
reign of law. The public services brought about the administrative
unification of the country. The establishment of uniform currency system,
common administration, common laws and judicial structure contributed to
India’s unification which ultimately helped the rise of national
consciousness.

2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND WESTERN EDUCATION

Introduction of western education was another important factor which paved
the way for the growth of nationalism. They were the foreign Christian
missionaries, the British Government and the progressive Indians. With the
intension of spreading Christianity among the Indians, the Christian
missionaries did extensive work in the spread of modern education. They
were among the pioneers of modern education in India.
The introduction of modern education in India was primarily motivated by
the political, administrative and economic needs of Britain in India. Some
progressive Indians like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
etc. were the pioneers of western education in India. The old system of
education was only perpetuating superstition and orthodoxy. It helped to
build up a democratic and rationalist outlook.
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3. Development of Transport and Means of Communication

Modern means of transport helps in the consolidation of people into modern
nations. In India too, the establishment of railways, construction of roads,
canals and organisation of postal, telegraph and wireless services all over
India contributed in forging the people into a nation.

However, these modern means of communications helped the growth of

political and cultural life on a national scale. Railways made it possible for the
people of different towns, villages, districts and provinces to meet, to exchange
views and to decide upon programmes for the nationalist movements. Without
the modern means of transport, no national conferences could have been held.

4. Emergence of Modern Press:

As a powerful social institution, the press facilitates the exchange of thought on
a mass scale within a short time. The introduction of the printing press in India
was an event of revolutionary significance. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the
founder of nationalist press in India. His ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ in Bengali
published in 1821 and ‘Mirat-UL-Akbar’ in Persian published in 1822, were the
first publications with a distinct nationalist and democratic progressive
orientation.
The struggle for the freedom of the press has been an integral part of the
national movement in India.

5. Economic Exploitation:
The worst feature of the British rule in India was the economic exploitation of
all classes. Britishers came to India as traders and their primary motive was how
to gain financial benefit. The industrial revolution in Britain necessitated the
import of raw materials from different foreign countries and to search extensive
market for its goods outside . India provided both to them.

7. Impact of International Events:

Several movements and events in foreign countries also helped in awakening
national consciousness. The Declaration of Independence by U.S.A. in 1776,
the French Revolution of 1789, the unification of Italy and Germany in British
authority for their right of self-determination. World events thus, 1870, defeat of
Russia by Japan in 1904 etc. inspired the Indians. They became confident that it
would be possible to fight against the mighty motivated Indians and
promoted the rise of nationalism.
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8. Social and Religious Reform Movements:

The various social and religious reform movements which took place in India
during the British rule were nothing but expression of the rising national
consciousness of the people. The new educated class who imbibed the liberal
western culture, recognized the need of reforming social institutions and
religious outlooks as these were regarded as obstacles to national advance. A
number of organisations like Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, Rama Krishna are
some of the examples.

 IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS IN NATIONLAISM

1. Champaran Movement (1917)

The Champaran rebellion in Bihar was the first active involvement of Gandhi in the Indian
freedom struggle. When Gandhi returned to India in 1915, the country was reeling under the
tyrannous colonial rule. The British forced the farmers to grow indigo and other cash crops
on their fertile land, and then sell these crops to them at a much cheaper price. The situation
became more gruesome for the farmers due to harsh weather conditions and levy of heavy
taxes pushing them towards abject poverty.
Having heard of the situation of farmers at Champaran, Gandhi immediately paid a visit to
this district in April 1917. He adopted the approach of civil disobedience movement and
launched demonstrations and strikes against the landlords bringing them down on their very
knees. As a result, they signed an agreement in which they granted control and
compensations to the farmers, and canceled the hikes in revenue and collection. The success
of this movement earned Gandhi the status of Mahatma.
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2.Kheda Movement (1918)

Kheda movement was the consequence of the financial atrocities afflicted by the British
landlords on the farmers of the Kheda village in Gujarat. The village was massively
affected by the floods and famine in 1918 which resulted in the destruction of the crop
yields. The farmers requested the British government to exempt them from the payment
of taxes but the authorities refused. Under the leadership of Gandhi and Vallabhbhai
Patel, the farmers launched a crusade against the government and pledged for the non-
payment of taxes. As a result, the government threatened the peasants with the seizure
of their land but they remain undeterred. After five months of persistent struggle, in
May 1918, the British government let go of the payment of taxes by the farmers until
the deluge got over and also returned the seized properties of the farmers.

3.Khilafat Movement (1919)

After the World War I, several humiliating allegations were placed on the Caliph and
the Ottoman Empire. The Muslims became fearful for the safety of their Caliph and
launched khilafat movement under the guidance of Gandhi to fight against the British
government to restore the collapsing status of the Caliph in Turkey. Gandhi
approached the Muslim community in 1919 for their political support in India’s
freedom struggle and in return supported the community in launching the Khilafat
movement. He became a notable spokesperson of the All India Muslim Conference
and returned the medals received from the British Empire in South Africa. The
success of this movement made him the national leader in no time.
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4. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was the only reason behind the commencement of the Non-
Cooperation Movement in 1920. It shook Gandhi to the core making him realized that
the Britishers were successful in enjoying control over Indians because of the
cooperation they are getting from them. This was the moment when he decided to
launch a Non-Cooperation Movement. With the support of the Congress and his
invincible spirit, he became successful in convincing people that adhering to non-
cooperation in a peaceful way is the key to attaining independence. Subsequently,
Gandhi framed the concept of Swaraj and since then it became the core element in the
Indian freedom struggle. The movement gained momentum and soon, people started
boycotting establishments run by the British like schools, colleges, and government
offices. But soon this movement was ended by Gandhi himself after it led to Chauri
Chaura incident in which 23 police officials were killed.

5. Quit India Movement (1942)

Quit India movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8th August 1942 during
the second world war in order to drive British rule out of India. The India Congress
Committee, under the insistence of Gandhi, demanded a mass British withdrawal from
India and Gandhi delivered a “Do or Die” speech. As a consequence, the entire
members of the Indian National Congress were immediately arrested by the British
officials and imprisoned without trial. But the demonstrations and protests continued
across the country. Even though the Britishers were somehow successful in
suppressing the Quit India Movement but soon realized that their days of the rule in
India were over. By the end of the World War II, they made clear indications of
handing over the powers to India. Eventually, Gandhi called off the movement
resulting in the release of thousands of prisoners.
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6. Civil Disobedience Movement: Dandi March and Gandhi-Irwin Pact

The Civil disobedience movement was a vital part of Indian freedom struggle led by
Mahatma Gandhi against the ruling colonial government.
While addressing the nation in a newspaper, Young India, in March 1930, Gandhi expressed
his willingness to suspend the movement if his eleven demands get accepted by the
government. But Lord Irwin’s government did not respond back to him. As a result, he
initiated the movement in full vigor.
The movement began with the Dandi March which was led by Gandhi on 12th March 1930
from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat. After reaching Dandi, Gandhi and his followers
violated the salt laws by making salt from the salted sea water. After this, breaking the British
laws became the widespread phenomena in India. People started the sale of the restricted
political pamphlets violating Section 144. Gandhiji urged Indian women to start spinning and
soon people started protesting in the front of the government offices and shops selling foreign
goods. Women of India have started taking part in the Indian freedom struggle. Sarojini
Naidu came to the leading edge during this movement. In the north-west, the most popular
leader was Abdul Gaffar Khan, often called “Frontier Gandhi”.
The Lord Irwin’s government called for a round Table conference in 1930 in London and the
Indian National Congress refused to be a part of it. Just to make sure that Congress attend the
second roundtable conference, Lord Irwin signed a pact with the Gandhi in 1931. It was
called the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The pact talked about the releasing of all the political prisoners
and cancellation of all the oppressive laws.