Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-1905)

British Response to the Growing Nationalist Movement: A Review

Introduction:

The British response to the growing nationalist movement in India was a combination of reformist policies and methods of repression. The British government aimed to pacify the nationalist movement and maintain their colonial control over India.

Reformist Policies:

The British government introduced various reformist policies to address the grievances of the Indian people and pacify the nationalist movement. These included:

• Indian Councils Act (1861): Established the Indian Council, which allowed for Indian representation in the government.
• Government of India Act (1915): Created a more representative government in India, with Indian members in the Central Legislative Assembly.
• Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1917): Introduced further reforms, including the creation of an Indian Council and the expansion of Indian representation in the government.

Methods of Repression:

The British government also employed various methods of repression to crush the nationalist movement. These included:

• Arrests and Imprisonment: Thousands of nationalist leaders were arrested and imprisoned, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Lathi Charge: British police used batons to disperse crowds and quell protests.
• Indefinite Detention: Nationalist leaders were held in indefinite detention without trial.
• Censorship: The British government imposed strict censorship on the press, restricting freedom of speech.

Recent Examples:

• Operation Blue Star (1984): The Indian Army’s military operation in Amritsar’s Golden Temple complex, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Sikhs and damaged the temple.
• Tehelka Scandal (2001): A sting operation by Tehelka magazine exposed widespread corruption among Indian politicians and bureaucrats.
• 2013 Anti-Terrorism Act: The Indian government introduced an anti-terrorism act, which allowed for indefinite detention and torture of suspects.

Early Nationalist Leaders’ Strategies:

Constitutional Methods:

The early nationalist leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, employed constitutional methods to challenge British colonial rule. These methods included:

• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation with the British government, including refusal to pay taxes, boycott of British goods, and withdrawal of students from government-run institutions.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): Nehru and other leaders employed civil disobedience tactics, such as salt marches, picketing, and boycotts, to protest British rule.
• Participation in Electoral Politics: Nationalist leaders contested elections and won seats in the Indian Legislature Council, demonstrating their strength and exerting pressure on the British government.

Public Meetings:

The early nationalist leaders also used public meetings to mobilize support and convey their message. These meetings were often accompanied by:

• Mass Gatherings: Large-scale gatherings with thousands of participants, promoting nationalistic sentiments and condemning British rule.
• Rallies and Demonstrations: Processions and marches through streets, carrying national flags and banners, to express solidarity with the nationalist movement.
• Speeches and Oratory: Passionate speeches that inspired and mobilized the masses, conveying national pride, anger at British rule, and determination for independence.

Recent Examples:

• Anna Hazare’s Movement (2011): A mass movement led by Anna Hazare, a social activist, against corruption in Indian politics. The movement employed public meetings, rallies, and demonstrations to mobilize public support.
• JNU Students’ Protest (2016): A student protest against the government’s alleged interference in university affairs and the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The protest involved public meetings, rallies, and online campaigns to mobilize support.
• Farmers’ Protest (2020): A nationwide protest by farmers against the government’s agricultural reforms. The protest employed public meetings, rallies, and online campaigns to mobilize support and put pressure on the government.

Here is an evaluation of the impact of social and religious reform movements on the development of nationalist consciousness during the period under consideration:

Impact of Social and Religious Reform Movements:

1. Awakening of Social Consciousness
   • Social reform movements, such as those led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Jyotirao Phule, aimed to address various social ills, including caste discrimination, gender inequality, and the oppression of marginalized communities.
   • Recent example: The ongoing Dalit rights movement in India, which has been a key driver of social change and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
2. Critiquing of Traditionalism and Embracing Modernity
   • These reform movements often challenged traditional social and religious practices, fostering a spirit of modernization and the adoption of Western ideas and values.
   • Recent example: The debates around the role of tradition and modernity in Indian society, as seen in the discussions around issues such as the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple.
3. Promotion of National Pride and Identity
   • Many social and religious reform movements, such as the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj, sought to revive and reinterpret India’s cultural and religious heritage, instilling a sense of national pride and identity.
   • Recent example: The rise of Hindu nationalist movements in India, which have sought to redefine Indian national identity along religious and cultural lines.
4. Mobilization of the Masses
   • The social and religious reform movements often involved the mobilization of the masses, particularly the marginalized sections of society, which contributed to the development of a broader nationalist consciousness.
   • Recent example: The widespread participation of various social and economic groups in the ongoing farmers’ protests in India, reflecting the growing mobilization of the masses around issues of national importance.

Challenges and Limitations:

1. Tensions between Traditionalism and Modernism
   • The social and religious reform movements often faced resistance from those who were committed to traditional social and religious practices, leading to tensions and conflicts within the broader nationalist movement.
   • Recent example: The ongoing debates around the role of religion in Indian politics and the tensions between secular and religious nationalist ideologies.
2. Exclusion of Marginalized Groups
   • While some reform movements sought to address the concerns of marginalized communities, others were primarily led by the urban, educated elite, and often failed to incorporate the voices and perspectives of the most disadvantaged sections of society.
   • Recent example: The continued marginalization of certain communities, such as Dalits and Adivasis, within the broader nationalist discourse and the challenges they face in asserting their rights and identities.
3. Uneven and Localized Impact
   • The impact of social and religious reform movements was often uneven, with some regions and communities experiencing more significant changes than others, leading to regional disparities in the development of nationalist consciousness.
   • Recent example: The varying levels of engagement with and support for nationalist movements across different regions of India, as seen in the diverse political and social landscapes of the country.

Overall, the social and religious reform movements played a significant role in shaping the development of nationalist consciousness in India, by awakening social consciousness, promoting national pride and identity, and mobilizing the masses. However, these movements also faced various challenges and limitations, leading to uneven and sometimes contradictory impacts on the broader nationalist movement.