The Making of the National Movement

When India was being ruled by the British, it

was the Indian National Movement that expressed the aspirations and demands of the people of India, bound together by their identity as a nation and the spirit of nationalism. Various factors had contributed to the growth of national consciousness in the country. The Nationalist Movement had started with the establishment of Indian National Congress.

THE RISE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM

India was brought under the direct administration of the British after the Revolt of 1857. The British committed inhuman atrocities to ‘punish’ Indians for participating in the revolt. In addition to that economic exploitation of almost all the sections of the population due to British revenue policies, destruction of indigenous industries, influx of foreign goods, discriminatory trade policies and unemployment.

PRESS AND LITERATURE

• Newspapers in English and Indian languages voiced the aspirations of the people and became powerful instruments of spreading national consciousness. Newspapers such as The Hindu, Patriot, Amrit Bazar Patrika, Kesari and Maratha were some of the newspapers published at that time.

The British considered themselves superior

to the Indian and followed a policy of racial discrimination. The British rule promoted the attitude of racial hatred and racial arrogance toward Indians. Railway compartments were reserved for Europeans and Indians were not allowed to enter restaurants and parksRA

CISM

Many political associations were formed in various parts of the country before the formation of Indian National Congress in 1885 but these organizations were localized and had limited participation and the need of an all-India political organization. Thus Indian National Congress was formed.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

FOUNDERS OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

A O Hume

DADABHAI NAOROJI

PHEROZESHAH MEHTA

SURENDRANATH BANERJEA

BADRUDDIN TYABJI