16 Questions
Who led most of the political associations formed after 1850?
English-educated professionals such as lawyers.
What crucial question did the people ask in response to the mentioned developments?
What is the country of India meant for?
What is the literal meaning of 'sarvajanik' in 'Poona Sarvajanik Sabha'?
Of or for all the people
What was the emerging answer regarding India and its people?
India was for all its people irrespective of class, color, caste, creed, language, or gender.
When did the awareness of British control over India's resources begin to be clearly stated?
After 1850, especially in the 1870s and 1880s
What were the goals of the political associations formed after 1850?
Stated as the goals of all the people of India
What intensified the dissatisfaction with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?
The passing of the Arms Act in 1878
What was the key feature of nationalism believed by the early Indian nationalists?
Empowerment of Indian people to make decisions about their affairs
What was the purpose of the Vernacular Press Act enacted in 1878?
To silence criticism of the government
Why were Indians enraged by the attempt to introduce the Ilbert Bill in 1883?
It provided for equality between British and Indian judges
What need was established when 72 delegates from all over the country met at Bombay in December 1885?
The need for an all-India organisation of educated Congress
Who largely comprised the early leadership of the Indian National Congress?
Individuals from Bombay and Calcutta
What role did Dadabhai Naoroji play in the early leadership of the Indian National Congress?
Guided younger nationalists and played a part in bringing Indians from various regions together
Which act disallowed Indians from possessing arms in 1878?
'The Arms Act'
What did the Vernacular Press Act allow the government to do if newspapers published objectionable content?
Confiscate assets including printing presses
'Who initiated the establishment of an all-India organisation of educated Congress?'
'A.O. Hume'
Study Notes
Early Nationalism in India
- After 1850, most political associations were led by English-educated Indians.
- In response to the developments, people asked: "What have we gained from British rule?"
- 'Sarvajanik' in 'Poona Sarvajanik Sabha' literally means "of or for all the people".
- The emerging answer regarding India and its people was that they were a nation, not just a collection of people.
Rise of Nationalism
- The awareness of British control over India's resources began to be clearly stated in the 1860s and 1870s.
- The goals of the political associations formed after 1850 were to promote discussions on social and political issues, and to submit petitions to the government.
- Economic hardships, such as the famine of 1876-1878, intensified dissatisfaction with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s.
Characteristics of Early Nationalism
- The key feature of nationalism believed by the early Indian nationalists was that India was a nation, and it was an expression of the desire for independence from British rule.
- The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 allowed the government to confiscate the assets of any newspaper that published "seditious" material.
Key Events and Legislation
- Indians were enraged by the attempt to introduce the Ilbert Bill in 1883, which would have allowed Indian judges to try European settlers.
- The Arms Act of 1878 disallowed Indians from possessing arms.
- The meeting of 72 delegates from all over the country at Bombay in December 1885 established the need for an all-India organisation of educated Indians.
- The early leadership of the Indian National Congress was largely comprised of English-educated Indians, and Dadabhai Naoroji played a key role in its early leadership.
- A. O. Hume initiated the establishment of an all-India organisation of educated Indians, which led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Test your knowledge about the emergence of nationalism in India, including the factors that led people to question the concept of India and their realizations about their rights and resources. Explore the impact of British control and the development of a sense of national identity.
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