Rise of Nationalism | Indian Modern History | UPSC | Lecture 22 | Aadesh Singh

GS History by Aadesh Singh

22 Aug 202313:17

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the early phase of the Indian National Movement from 1857 to 1885, highlighting the factors that led to its rise. It explains the impact of the British Crown taking control from the East India Company post-1857, and how various political organizations before the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 contributed to the movement. The video covers the role of intellectuals, the press, and socio-religious reformers in awakening a sense of unity and nationalism among Indians, ultimately leading to the organized political struggle for independence.

Takeaways

📜 The Indian National Movement began in the late 19th century with a focus on political and social change after the 1857 Revolt, leading to the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
👥 The British Crown took direct control of India post the 1857 Revolt, aiming to reduce the power of the East India Company and implement repressive policies that affected Indians.
🔗 The British introduced a unified structure in India through laws and institutions like the civil services, judiciary, and modern means of transport and communication, which connected different parts of India.
🌏 The introduction of modern education by the British led to the spread of Western thought and ideas, influencing Indian intellectuals and contributing to the rise of the National Movement.
📰 The growth of press and literature in the second half of the 19th century played a significant role in the Indian National Movement, with newspapers criticizing British policies and advocating for national unity.
🏛 The rediscovery of India's past by scholars and the promotion of Indian history, art, and culture boosted Indian self-motivation and confidence, challenging British dominance.
🔍 The social and religious reform movements of the 19th century raised awareness among various social groups and attempted to unite Indians by criticizing the caste system and advocating for social change.
🚫 Experiences of racial discrimination against Indians, such as exclusion from English clubs and restrictions on travel with European passengers, fueled resentment towards British rule.
📈 The formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 was a response to the Ilbert Bill of 1883, which proposed allowing Indian magistrates and session judges to try European subjects, and was seen as a step towards self-governance.
🤝 Before the Indian National Congress, several political organizations were established in mid-19th century India, laying the groundwork for a unified national movement.
📝 Key demands of the early Indian National Congress included reducing public expenditure, reforming Indian civil services, involving Indians in legislative councils, and promoting modern education to rural areas.

Q & A

What was the context of the Indian National Movement before the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
-The Indian National Movement emerged as a response to the political and social changes in India following the 1857 Rebellion. After the rebellion, British Crown took direct control of India, and the East India Company's power was reduced. The movement was also a reaction to the repressive policies of the British Crown, which did not resonate well with the Indian populace.
What were the reasons for the emergence of the Indian National Movement in the second half of the 19th century?
-The emergence of the Indian National Movement was driven by the realization that colonial rule was the main cause of India's backwardness. British policies like creating a unified structure through laws and institutions, modern means of transport and communication, and the introduction of Western education and ideas contributed to the rise of a national consciousness among Indians.
How did the British rule impact the Indian society and lead to the rise of the Indian National Movement?
-British rule unified India through a standardized structure of governance and institutions, which connected different parts of the country. It also introduced modern education, leading to the spread of Western thought and ideas. The British policies, however, were repressive, causing dissatisfaction among the Indian intellectuals and leaders, which in turn fueled the rise of the Indian National Movement.
What role did the press and literature play in the Indian National Movement?
-The press and literature played a significant role in spreading the ideas of the Indian National Movement. By the second half of the 19th century, there were about 169 newspapers and journals published in various languages, criticizing British policies and advocating for Indian self-governance and unity.
Who were some of the prominent nationalist newspapers that contributed to the Indian National Movement?
-Some of the prominent nationalist newspapers included 'Hindu Patriot' and 'Amar Bazar Patrika' in Bengal, 'Indian Mirror' and 'Sanjivani' in Mumbai, 'Native Opinion' in Madras, and 'Kesari' and 'Maharashtra' in Poona.
How did the discovery of India's past contribute to the self-confidence of Indians?
-The discovery of India's rich history, arts, and culture by European scholars and Indian scholars like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Max Muller, Monier Williams, and Swami Vivekananda boosted the self-confidence of Indians. It allowed them to take pride in their heritage and challenge the British logic of dominance over what they considered a 'civilized' nation.
What were the demands of the early political organizations before the Indian National Congress?
-Early political organizations demanded a reduction in public expenditure, reforms in Indian civil services, involvement of Indians in legislative councils, and the spread of modern education to the villages. They also advocated for the representation of Indian interests in governance and opposed repressive policies like the Vernacular Press Act.
What was the significance of the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
-The formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 marked the beginning of a unified political platform for various regional political organizations. It aimed to consolidate the demands and efforts of these organizations to negotiate with the British government for political reforms and self-governance.
What were the main demands of the Indian National Congress at its formation?
-The main demands of the Indian National Congress at its formation included reducing public expenditure, implementing reforms in Indian civil services, increasing Indian involvement in legislative councils, ensuring freedom of the press, and extending modern education to the masses.
How did the British government's policies contribute to the rise of the Indian National Movement?
-British government policies, such as the Vernacular Press Act, the reduction of Indian civil service opportunities, and the exclusion of Indians from certain social spaces, fueled resentment and a desire for self-governance among Indians, thus contributing to the rise of the Indian National Movement.
What role did social and religious reform movements play in the Indian National Movement?
-Social and religious reform movements played a crucial role in awakening different sections of society and promoting a sense of unity among Indians. They critiqued the caste system and worked towards social reform, women's upliftment, and rights, which helped in building a collective identity and resistance against British rule.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 Early Indian National Movement and Political Organizations

This paragraph discusses the origins and early stages of the Indian National Movement, leading up to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. It covers the political and social changes in India post the 1857 Rebellion, the shift of power from the East India Company to the British Crown, and the introduction of modern education and infrastructure. The paragraph also highlights the rise of nationalist newspapers and the influence of European scholars on Indian intellectuals, leading to a change in the mindset of the native intelligentsia and the beginning of the Indian National Movement.

05:02

📚 Socio-Religious Reforms and the Emergence of Nationalist Leaders

The second paragraph delves into the socio-religious reform movements and the role of various organizations and leaders in shaping the Indian National Movement. It mentions the contributions of figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, who exposed the exploitative nature of British rule, and leaders of organizations like the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, and the Young Bengal Movement. The paragraph also covers instances of racial discrimination against Indians, such as exclusion from English clubs and restrictions on travel with European passengers, which further fueled the desire for self-governance and national unity.

10:03

🗳️ Formation of the Indian National Congress and its Initial Demands

The final paragraph focuses on the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 and outlines its initial demands. It describes the political strategy to unify various political organizations and present a collective front against British rule. The Indian National Congress's early demands included reducing public expenditure, reforms in Indian civil services, involvement of Indians in legislative councils, and the extension of modern education to the masses. The paragraph also touches on the broader goals of the Indian National Movement, which aimed to address national issues and work towards political reforms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Indian National Movement

The Indian National Movement refers to the collective efforts of various political, social, and religious groups in India to achieve self-governance and independence from British rule. In the video's context, it is the overarching theme that discusses the emergence and development of political consciousness and organization among Indians in the 19th century, leading to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

💡Rebellion of 1857

The Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The script mentions this event as a significant political and social turning point, which led to the British Crown taking direct control of India from the East India Company and accelerating the process of political change.

💡Indian National Congress (INC)

The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party that was established in 1885 as a platform for Indians to voice their demands for political reform and self-governance. The script highlights the formation of the INC as a pivotal moment in the Indian National Movement, signifying the beginning of a more organized struggle for independence.

💡Colonial Rule

Colonial rule refers to the period when India was under British control, which is a central theme in the video. The script discusses how colonial rule led to the realization among Indians that their backwardness was largely due to the oppressive policies of the British, which in turn fueled the Indian National Movement.

💡Modern Education

Modern education introduced by the British in India played a crucial role in shaping the Indian National Movement. The script mentions that this education system exposed Indians to Western thoughts and ideals, which contributed to the rise of a politically conscious native intelligentsia that challenged British dominance.

💡Social Reform Movements

Social reform movements in the 19th century aimed to challenge and change various aspects of Indian society, such as the caste system and women's rights. The script refers to these movements as a way to awaken different social groups to the need for change and to foster a sense of unity against British rule.

💡Press and Literature

The role of press and literature in the Indian National Movement is highlighted in the script as a means of spreading nationalist ideas and critiquing British policies. The emergence of newspapers and journals in various languages helped to mobilize public opinion and resistance against colonial rule.

💡Cultural Rediscovery

Cultural rediscovery refers to the process by which Indians reconnected with their rich history, art, and culture, which was suppressed during colonial rule. The script mentions the efforts of scholars and leaders in reviving the pride and confidence of Indians in their cultural heritage, which served to challenge British justifications for their rule.

💡Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination was a harsh reality for Indians under British rule, as the script illustrates with examples of exclusion from English clubs and restrictions on travel in first-class train compartments. Such discriminatory practices contributed to the erosion of Indian self-respect and fueled the desire for independence.

💡Organized Political Struggle

Organized political struggle denotes the systematic efforts made by various political organizations and leaders to challenge British rule in India. The script discusses the formation of several political organizations before the INC, which laid the groundwork for a more unified and effective fight for independence.

💡Civil Services Reforms

Civil services reforms were among the key demands of the early Indian National Movement, as mentioned in the script. The British had limited the opportunities for Indians in their own civil service, and the movement sought to change this by advocating for greater representation and opportunities for Indians in administrative roles.

Highlights

The Indian National Movement began in the wake of the 1857 Rebellion, leading to major political and social changes in India.

Post-1857, British Crown took direct control of India, shifting from the East India Company's rule.

British policies were seen as repressive, causing dissatisfaction among the Indian population.

The introduction of a unified structure in India through laws and institutions like the Civil Services and Judiciary, along with modern means of transport and communication, connected the diverse regions.

The rise of the Indian National Movement was due to the realization that colonial rule was the primary cause of India's backwardness.

Modern education introduced by the British led to the spread of Western thoughts and ideas among Indians.

The second half of the 19th century saw the emergence of the press and literature contributing to the national awakening.

Prominent nationalist newspapers like 'Amrita Bazar Patrika' and 'Indian Mirror' criticized British policies.

The discovery of India's rich past by scholars boosted Indian self-motivation and confidence.

Social reform movements in the 19th century aimed to awaken various sections of society and challenge the caste system.

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, marking a significant step in the organized political struggle for Indian self-governance.

Before the Indian National Congress, several organizations like the 'Bengal British India Society' laid the groundwork for a unified political voice.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered a pioneer of social and political issues in India, advocating for women's upliftment and caste system reform.

Dadabhai Naoroji established the East India Association in London to bring Indian issues to the attention of the British government.

Ananda Mohan Bose and Surendranath Banerjee established the Indian Association in Bengal to unite people politically.

The Indian National Congress's demands included reducing public expenditure, civil service reforms, and involvement of Indians in legislative councils.

The formation of the Indian National Congress aimed to unite various political organizations and provide a platform for political reforms.