4 Objectives and Methods of Struggle of the Early Nationalists

Home , Early Nationalists, Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Academic Year 2020 - 21

Class – 10

History & Civics Chapter – 4

Objectives and Methods of Struggle of the Early Nationalists

 HIGHLIGHTS – 1. The Early Nationalists 2. Objectives and Demands of the Early Nationalists 3. Beliefs And Methods of Struggle for the Early Nationalists 4. Failures and Achievements of the Early Nationalists 5. Prominent Leaders in the Early Days of Indian Nationalism: Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjea and Gopal Krishna Gokhle

 Description of Highlights –

THE EARLY NATIONALISTS –

Among the persons who dominated the Congress from 1885 to 1905 mention should be made of the following : W.C. Bonnerjea, Rash Bihari Bose, Surendranath Banerjea and R.C. Dutt from Bengal; Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale etc. Liberal Englishmen like Hume and Wedderburn also pleaded India’s cause courageously in those days.

Key Characteristics of the Early Nationalists

There are three key characteristics that distinguished them from assertive nationalists. First, they had unlimited faith in the British sense of Justice. Second, they asked for constitutional and other reforms within the framework of British rule in India. Third, their methods of struggle were also quite moderate. They carried their agitation through petitions and resolutions.

OBJECTIVES AND DEMANDS OF THE EARLY NATIONALISTS –

Their objectives and principal demands may be examined under the following heads:

1. Constitutional Reforms – (i) They asked for the abolition of the India Council. (ii) The Congress at its very first session asked for the expansion of the Legislative Councils created by the Act of 1861. (iii) Early in the 20th Century, the Congress leaders insisted on ‘colonial form of self-government’.

2. Administrative Reforms – The Congress urged upon the Government to give effect to the following reforms: (i) Wider employment of Indians in the higher services. (ii) Holding of simultaneous examinations both in England and in India for recruitment to the Indian Civil Service. (iii) Adequate representation of the Indians in the Executive Council of the Viceroy and those of the Governors. (iv) Complete separation of executive and judicial functions. (v) An increase in the powers of the local (municipal) bodies and reducing official control over them.

3. Economic Reforms – The early Congress leaders demanded : (i) Reduction in land-revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of the Zamindars. (ii) Giving of cheap credit (loans) to the peasants through agricultural banks. (iii) Total abolition of salt tax and the duty on sugar. (iv) Industrial growth through trade protection i.e., a heavy tax on imported goods. (v) Reduction in expenditure on the army and the money thus saved to be spent on social services such as health and education.

4. Safeguarding the Civil Liberties – They were demanding rights to assemble and to form associations. The Congress believed that the suppression of a free press would not check ‘sedition’ or rebellion against government, it would only drive it underground.

BELIEFS AND METHODS OF STRUGGLE OF THE EARLY NATIONALISTS

Their Beliefs

Early nationalists had unlimited faith in the British sense of justice and fair play. Dadabhai Naoroji was honest enough to recognize the benefits which English rule had conferred upon Indians, especially the English language and the modern means of communication and transport.

Their Methods of Struggle

The early nationalists did not believe in agitation or unconstitutional means. They carried their agitation through (i) petitions to high Government officials, (ii) resolutions, (iii) meetings in towns, cities and the country side, (iv) distribution of leaflets and pamphlets criticizing government policies, (v) prepairing Memorandum (a written report) for the Government Committees or for submission to committees of British Parliament, and (vi) sending Delegations of leading Indians to England to have talks with British authorities on behalf of people of India.

In brief these leaders believed that once the Government was convinced of the genuine needs for reforms, their demands would be conceded sooner or later.

FAILURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EARLY NATIONALISTS

The early nationalists have been criticized first of all for their beggarly methods of prayers and petitions. Secondly, in those early days, the Congress lacked mass appeal. Thirdly, the early nationalists believed that sooner or later the British would agree to establish representative institutions in India.

Their Achievements

Firstly, they infused national consciousness among various sections of public life. Secondly, they had done a lot to popularize ideas of democracy, civil liberty and representative institutions. Thirdly, these early leaders explained how the British were exploiting Indians. Fourthly, the early nationalists like Ranade, and Gokhale were passionate supporters of social reform in India.

Finally, they had been trying to put pressure on Government to reform the Legislative Councils.

PROMINENT LEADERS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF INDIAN NATIONALISM

Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) – His contribution to the freedom Struggle.

1. India’s Unofficial Ambassador in England: In 1866 Dadabhai founded the East India Association in London. Its object was to inform the British of the true state of affairs in India.

2. One of the Founder-Members of Indian National Congress: Dadabhai was one of the Indian National Congress. Thrice he presided over the Sessions of the Congress in 1886, 1893 and 1906.

3. His Historic Address to the Kolkata Session of Congress in 1906: The Congress Session of 1906 passed resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott and National Education.

4. His Enunciation of the Nature of British Imperialism and Cause of Poverty In India (His famous Drain Theory and Views on Indian Economy):

Dadabhai’s views on Indian Economy and exploitation of India could be gathered from his classic work ‘Poverty and Un-British rule in India’. Through his famous ‘Drain Theory’ he explained how India’s wealth was being taken away to England in these forms: (a) Salaries payable to the Members of the India Council, (b) Dispatch of Savings to England by British Personnel posted in India, (c) Pensions to British officers, (d) Payments to the War office for the maintenance of British troops in India, and (e) Profits of the British Trading Agencies.

5. His Advocacy of a just Political System: Dadabhai believed that justice constituted the real basis of political power, and not brute force.

Surendranath Banerjea (1848 – 1925) – His Contribution to India’s Freedom Struggle.

1. Fight against Injustice and Repression: Surendranath took to public life in 1876, the year in which he founded the Indian Association. The object of the Association was to agitate for the Introduction of political reforms in India. He fearlessly criticized such measures as the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act.

2. Elective offices were just a Means to serve people: Surendranath was elected to the Kolkata Corporation in 1876 and was there for more than two decades.

3. Convened Indian National Conference in 1883 (A Pillar of Congress in its Early Days: Surendranath took the lead in convening the Indian National Conference in 1883. It was the first organization of an all-Indian character. Twice he presided over the sessions of the Congress in 1895 and 1902.

4. His role as a journalist: For several years, Surendranath edited ‘The Bengalee’ which had been founded by W.C. Bonnerjea.

5. A firm Believer in India’s Right to Self – Government:

6. Constitutional Means for the Attainment of India’s Goals: His principle was “ Opposition where necessary, Cooperation where Possible. He supported the Swadeshi Movement. He said , “take the Swadeshi vow and you will have laid broad and deep the foundations of your industrial and political emancipation.”

GOPAL KRISHNA GOKHALE (1866-1915)

Gokhale’s Contribution to the Freedom Struggle.

1. Foremost among the Congress Leaders: Gokhale urged that “the goal of the Congress should be the attainment of a Form of government similar to that which existed in the self-governing Colonies of the British empire.”

2. His Faith in Constitutional Means to achieve the Goal: Gokhale believed in constitutional agitation, i.e., petitions, appeals to Justice and passive resistance. At the same time, he supported the Swadeshi Movement. He made a strong plea for the reform of the Legislative Councils and separation of judiciary from the executive.

3. Established the Servants of India Society: In 1905 Gokhale established the servants of India Society. The Society trained men to devote their lives to the cause of the country.

4. Arousal of National Awakening: In 1902, Gokhale had become the Member of the Imperial Legislative Council. In his speeches in the Council, he pleaded for reduction in salt Duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods. In one of his Budget speeches he pleaded for free primary education for all children. Gokhale would like Indians to be given a large share in Indian Civil Service.

5. His Work Abroad: In a paper which he read at the New Reform Club, London, he said, “India’s destiny is to obtain an honoured place among the family of Nations.”

6. His Economic Ideas: Gokhale was deeply pained to see the increasing misery of the peasantry. He pleaded for the reduction of land revenue. Gokhale was in favour of State protection to infant industries. He called for the employment of Members of educated middle class.

x------x------x ------x

Questions & Answers

Q1. Mention the features of Early Nationalists? A1.First, they had unlimited faith in the British sense of Justice. Second, they asked for constitutional and other reforms within the framework of British rule in India. Third, their methods of struggle were also quite moderate. They carried their agitation through petitions and resolutions.

Q2. Mention the achievements of early nationalists.

A2.Firstly, they infused national consciousness among various sections of public life. Secondly, they had done a lot to popularize ideas of democracy, civil liberty and representative institutions. Thirdly, these early leaders explained how the British were exploiting Indians. Fourthly, the early nationalists like Ranade, and Gokhale were passionate supporters of social reform in India. Finally, they had been trying to put pressure on Government to reform the Legislative Councils.

Q3. Mention the contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji 1827 to 1917.

A3. India’s Unofficial Ambassador in England: In 1866 Dadabhai founded the East India Association in London. Its object was to inform the British of the true state of affairs in India.

One of the Founder-Members of Indian National Congress: Dadabhai was one of the Indian National Congress. Thrice he presided over the Sessions of the Congress in 1886, 1893 and 1906.

His Historic Address to the Kolkata Session of Congress in 1906: The Congress Session of 1906 passed resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott and National Education.

His Enunciation of the Nature of British Imperialism and Cause of Poverty In India (His famous Drain Theory and Views on Indian Economy):

His Advocacy of a just Political System: Dadabhai believed that justice constituted the real basis of political power, and not brute force.

Q4. Mention the contributions of Surendranath Banerjea (1848 – 1925).

A4. 1. Fight against Injustice and Repression: Surendranath took to public life in 1876, the year in which he founded the Indian Association. The object of the Association was to agitate for the Introduction of political reforms in India. He fearlessly criticized such measures as the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act.

2. Elective offices were just a Means to serve people: Surendranath was elected to the Kolkata Corporation in 1876 and was there for more than two decades.

4. His role as a journalist: For several years, Surendranath edited ‘The Bengalee’ which had been founded by W.C. Bonnerjea.

5. A firm Believer in India’s Right to Self – Government

Q5. Mention the contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

A5. 1. Foremost among the Congress Leaders: Gokhale urged that “the goal of the Congress should be the attainment of a form of government similar to that which existed in the self- governing colonies of the British empire.”

3. Established the Servants of India Society: In 1905 Gokhale established the servants of India Society. The Society trained men to devote their lives to the cause of the country.

5. His Work Abroad: In a paper which he read at the New Reform Club, London, he said, “India’s destiny is to obtain an honoured place among the family of Nations.”

Questions

1. Name any two leaders who belonged to the early days of Indian nationalism. 2. Mention any two objectives of the early nationalists in respect to (a) Constitutional Reforms and (b) Administrative Reforms. 3. Mention any two objectives of the early nationalists that related to improving the lot of the peasants. 4. Name any two methods through which the early nationalists carried their agitation. 5. Who came to be known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’? 6. When and by whom was the East India Association founded? 7. Name the nationalist leader who edited The Bengalee for several years. 8. When and by whom was the Servants of India Society started? 9. What was the aim of the Servants of India Society? 10. What did Gokhale advocate to make the life of the peasants better or easier?

x------x------x ------x