The Rise of the Nationalist Movement in India

Indian political party.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a significant shift in the Indian struggle for freedom from British rule. This period saw the rise of the nationalist movement, characterized by the formation of political organizations and the emergence of influential leaders who played a pivotal role in shaping India's destiny.

Formation of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League

The Indian National Congress (INC) was established in 1885. It was the first organized expression of Indian nationalism on an all-India scale. The INC was initially led by moderate leaders who believed in constitutional agitation and political education to achieve their goals. They sought administrative reforms, greater representation in government, and protection of rights and welfare of the people.

The All India Muslim League was formed in 1906. The League aimed to protect the rights of Muslims in India and initially worked in close cooperation with the INC. The formation of the League marked the beginning of communal politics in India.

The Moderates and the Extremists

The INC was initially dominated by leaders known as the 'Moderates'. Key figures like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale advocated for constitutional reforms, economic freedom, and a greater role for Indians in governance. They believed in the policy of petitions, prayers, and protests within the framework of law.

However, by the early 20th century, a new group of leaders emerged within the INC, known as the 'Extremists'. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai were not satisfied with the slow pace of the Moderates' approach. They advocated for more assertive methods, including boycotts and passive resistance, to achieve self-rule (Swaraj).

Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement

The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, was a significant event that intensified the nationalist movement. The official reason for the partition was administrative convenience, but it was widely seen as an attempt to 'divide and rule' by creating a separate province for the Muslim-majority East Bengal.

The partition sparked widespread protests and led to the Swadeshi Movement, which called for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made products. The movement marked the shift from constitutional methods to active resistance and was a significant step towards the mass involvement of people in the freedom struggle.

The rise of the nationalist movement in India during this period laid the foundation for the subsequent phases of the struggle for independence. It marked the beginning of the end of British rule and the dawn of a new era in Indian history.