Indian National Movement: Key Strategies & Policies

• The first phase of the National Movement helps inform understanding of the second phase.

Overview of the National Movement

• The National Movement's first phase began with the establishment of British rule in India.
• Initially, British rule was accepted.
• Demands were presented peacefully.
• The British refusal of these demands led to the rise of social reformers, teachers, and professionals who awakened public consciousness.

Key Focus Areas

• Rise of nationalism and the Indian National Congress.
• Partition of Bengal in 1905.
• Morley-Minto Reforms.

Political Awakening in the Late 19th Century

• The second half of the 19th century saw a political awakening.
• National consciousness grew.
• The Indian National Congress emerged as a mass struggle.
• Nationalism began to rise as people started to see themselves as part of a single nation.

Factors Leading to Nationalism

• Discontent against British Rule.
• Political and Economic Unification.
• Spread of Modern Education.
• Role of the Press.

Discontent Against British Rule

• The British economically exploited India.
• This exploitation caused suffering across all sections of society.
• High taxes burdened farmers.
• Low wages affected factory workers.
• The British treated India as a source of raw materials and a market.

Political and Economic Unification

• The British introduced a uniform system of governance.
• This unification helped unify various regions of India.
• Modern industries linked the economic life of Indians.
• This linking weakened regional identities.

Spread of Modern Education

• Modern education exposed Indians to Western thoughts and ideas.
• This exposure made them aware of their rights.
• The influence of the American and French Revolutions inspired Indians to demand equality and freedom.

Role of the Press

• The Indian press highlighted anti-Indian policies.
• It also mobilized public opinion.
• The Vernacular Press Act aimed to suppress nationalist sentiments.
• The Act ultimately failed.

Immediate Factors Leading to Nationalism

• The Ilbert Bill controversy in 1883 aimed to remove racial discrimination in the judiciary.
• The bill faced strong opposition from the British community.
• The formation of political associations post-1850 allowed Indians to advocate for their welfare.

Formation of the Indian National Congress

• The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885, by A.O. Hume.
• It was created as a platform for discussing Indian issues with the British government.

Moderate Phase of the National Movement

• The moderate phase occurred from 1885-1905.
• It was characterized by peaceful demands for reforms.
• Key leaders included Surendranath Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
• They believed the British would grant concessions if approached peacefully.

Radical Phase of the National Movement

• The radical phase emerged when moderates felt their methods were ineffective.
• Leaders included Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal.
• Stronger actions against British rule were requested.
• The slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it" was prominent.

Partition of Bengal (1905)

• The British partitioned Bengal in 1905.
• The publicly stated reasoning was for administrative reasons.
• It was viewed as a strategy to weaken the nationalist movement.
• Widespread protests arose.
• The Swadeshi movement rose, promoting Indian goods and boycotting British products.

Explore the strategies used by leaders during the Moderate and Radical Phases of the Indian National Movement. Learn about the goals of the Swadeshi movement and the impact of British policies like the Partition of Bengal and the Vernacular Press Act. Test your knowledge of key figures and the INC's founding.