The Rise of Indian Nationalism
(Longman Pearson)
Review Exercise
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. One of the primary reasons for the rise of nationalism was the economic exploitation of the masses.
2. Improvement in the means of transport and communication facilitated the quick transmission of ideas from one place to another.
3. The Vernacular Press Act was introduced in the year 1878 by Viceroy Lord Lytton.
4. Lord Ripon repealed the Vernacular Press Act in 1881.
5. The Ilbert bill proposed that the Indian judges would have the right to try Europeans in India.
6. The Indian National Congress was founded in the year 1885.
7. 72 delegates attended the first session of the Indian National Congress that was held in Bombay.
8. The first president of the Indian National Congress was Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
9. The Arms Act, passed by Lord Lytton, prevented the Indians from keeping arms.
10. The national song of India Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
II. Answer these questions.
1. Write a brief note on the factors which led to the rise of nationalism in India.
= The factors which led to the rise of nationalism in India are :
❐ The impact of the Revolt of 1857 : The Revolt of 1857 inspired the people and led to the Rise of nationalism in India. It ignited a desire among the Indians to fight against the social, economic and political exploitation by the British.
❐ Economic exploitation of India : The British drained the resources of India in the most unjust manner. Peasants, artisans and the middle class were heavily burdened with taxation. They further suffered due to recurrent famines which occurred in nineteenth century.
❐ Railway and communication system : The improvement in transport and communication also contributed to the emergence of nationalism. Railways, telegraph, postal services and construction of roads and canals facilitated communication among the people.
❐ Rediscovery of India's past : In the second half of the nineteenth century, several scholars such as Sir William Jones, Max Muller and Cunningham researched ancient Indian history and culture. Their studies created awareness among the Indians about their rich past and inculcated a stronger spirit of self-respect.
❐ Spread of western education and ideas : Indian nationalism acquired a modern outlook through western education. It made the Indians familiar with modern western ideas.
❐ Easy to communicate in English : The spread of English language also helped the leaders from different regions to communicate with each other.
❐ Growth of vernacular press : Several newspapers and periodicals were published in different regional languages as well as English. Some of these included the Hindu, Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Bengalee, Kesari, Indian Mirror, The Statesman, Rast Goftar and The Bombay Samachar.
❐ Growth of patriotic literature : Novels, plays and poems written during this period fostered and spread the idea of nationalism. For example, Anandamath written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay evoked a strong nationalistic sentiment among the people.
2. In what ways were the economic factors responsible for the rise of Indian nationalism?
= The British drained the resources of India in the most unjust manner. Peasants, artisans and the middle class were heavily burdened with taxation. They further suffered due to the recurrent famines which occurred in the nineteenth century.
This economic exploitation was a primary reason for the rise of nationalism in India. The British economic policies turned India into a supplier of raw materials to the British factories and a ready market for finished products from England.
The local merchants could not complete with the cheaper factory made products from Britain. The traditional handicrafts industry was destroyed.
At the same time new industries were not allowed to develop in India which led to widespread unemployment. Huge amount of money was drained out of India in the form of salaries, savings and profits of the British officials in India.
3. How did the British brought about the political and administrative unification? How did it contribute in the growth of Indian nationalism?
= India was united politically and administratively under the British rule.
❐ The British conquered the whole of India from the Himalayas in the north to the Cape Comorin in the south and from Assam in the east to the Khyber Pass in the West, and thus imposed political unity in India.
❐ One rule, one set of laws, administrative officers, who were transferred from one place to another all over India formed the concept of single citizenship and one nation among the Indians.
Thus, spirit of single-mindedness and nationalism were fostered in India.
4. Name any four leading Indian newspapers of the nineteenth century. How did they contribute in the rise of nationalism?
= The four leading Indian newspapers of the nineteenth century are - Bengalee, Kesari, Indian Mirror and Rast Goftar.
They were quite popular and helped in bringing about a national awakening. They also criticised the anti-Indian British policies. The press became a very important medium of propagating the spirit of nationalism among the Indians.
5. What was the Vernacular Press Act?
= British Viceroy Lord Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878 which curbed the liberty of the Indian press. The Act prevented the editors from publishing any materials that incited the people against the British government. It was directed mainly against the Act from all quarters. Consequently, in 1881, the Act was repealed by Lord Ripon.
6. Write about the Ilbert bill controversy. How did it affect the general population?
= The Ilbert bill was initiated during the period of Lord Ripon. The bill proposed that the Indian judges would have the right to try Europeans accused of crimes. It was opposed by the British residents in India. They collected funds for this purpose, organised a systematic movement against the bill amended so that it lost its very spirit. The opposition to the bill alienated the Indian public opinion. It clearly revealed the policy or racial discrimination of the British.
7. The rediscovery of India's past infused a sense of self-respect among the Indians. Discuss in brief.
= The British had been projecting an image that the Indians were barbarians who had no respect for education or literature and were unfit to govern themselves. In the second half of the nineteenth century, several scholars such as Sir William Jones, Max Muller and Cunningham researched ancient Indian history and cultural heritage of India to the fore. Some even suggested that the Europeans could learn much from India. Their studies created awareness among the Indians about their rich past and inculcated a stronger spirit of self-respect.
8. Which evidence suggests that the British followed a policy of racial discrimination against the Indians?
= Another important reason for growth of nationalism in India was the racial arrogance and superior attitude of the Englishman. They looked down upon the Indians as an inferior race.
❐ Exclusive clubs were set up for the Englishman and Indians were not allowed to enter these places.
❐ The Indians could not travel in the first class compartment of a train.
❐ Most of the important positions in the government were reserved for the British.
9. Name the founder of the Indian National Congress. Who was its first president?
= Allan Octavian Hume is the founder of the Indian National Congress.
Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was the first president.
10. What were the aims of the Indian National Congress?
= The main aims of the Indian National Congress were these :
❐ Promotion of brotherhood among fellow countrymen throughout India.
❐ Development and consolidation of the feeling of national unity irrespective of race, caste, religion and provinces.
❐ Formation of popular demands and presenting them before the government through petitions.
❐ Training and organisation of public opinion.
❐ Recording opinions of the educated classes on pressing problems.
11. Do you think that the English language acted as a link rather than a hindrance in the rise of nationalism in India? Give reasons for your answer.
= Yes, I think that the English language acted as a link rather than a hindrance in the rise of nationalism in India.
The spread of English language also helped the leaders from different regions to communicate with each other. The barrier of language was broken. People could now express their feelings and exchange ideas in a common language. It also fostered a sense of oneness and unity.
12. What was the perception of the Indians towards the introduction of railway and communication system in India. How did this view change towards the end of the nineteenth century?
= The improvement in transport and communication also contributed to the emergence of nationalism. Railways, telegraph, postal services and construction of roads and canals facilitated communication among the people.
III. Write short notes.
1. Rediscovery of India's past.
= The British had been projecting an image that the Indians were barbarians who had no respect for education or literature and were unfit to govern themselves. In the second half of the nineteenth century, several scholars such as Sir William Jones, Max Muller and Cunningham researched ancient Indian history and cultural heritage of India to the fore. Some even suggested that the Europeans could learn much from India. Their studies created awareness among the Indians about their rich past and inculcated a stronger spirit of self-respect.
2. Aims of the Indian National Congress.
= The main aims of the Indian National Congress were these :
❐ Promotion of brotherhood among fellow countrymen throughout India.
❐ Development and consolidation of the feeling of national unity irrespective of race, caste, religion and provinces.
❐ Formation of popular demands and presenting them before the government through petitions.
❐ Training and organisation of public opinion.
❐ Recording opinions of the educated classes on pressing problems.
3. The Ilbert bill controversy.
= The Ilbert bill was initiated during the period of Lord Ripon. The bill proposed that the Indian judges would have the right to try Europeans accused of crimes. It was opposed by the British residents in India. They collected funds for this purpose, organised a systematic movement against the bill amended so that it lost its very spirit. The opposition to the bill alienated the Indian public opinion. It clearly revealed the policy or racial discrimination of the British.
4. Economic exploitation of India.
= The British drained the resources of India in the most unjust manner. Peasants, artisans and the middle class were heavily burdened with taxation. They further suffered due to the recurrent famines which occurred in the nineteenth century.
This economic exploitation was a primary reason for the rise of nationalism in India. The British economic policies turned India into a supplier of raw materials to the British factories and a ready market for finished products from England.
The local merchants could not complete with the cheaper factory made products from Britain. The traditional handicrafts industry was destroyed.
At the same time new industries were not allowed to develop in India which led to widespread unemployment. Huge amount of money was drained out of India in the form of salaries, savings and profits of the British officials in India.
IV. Match the columns.
=
|
1. Lord Lytton |
a. Vernacular Press Act passed. [1] |
|
2. Sir William Jones |
b. president of the Indian National Congress. [4] |
|
3. A O Hume |
c. initiated the Ilbert bill. [5] |
|
4. W C Bonnerjee |
d. highlighted the cultural heritage of India. [2] |
|
5. Lord Ripon |
e. founded the Indian National Congress. [3] |
V. State whether true or false.
1. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Calcutta. [F]
2. The coming of railways, telegraphs and postal services helped in unifying the country. [T]
3. The Indian never had a glorious past before the coming of the British. [F]
4. Western-educated Indians were influenced by the ideas of democracy and nationalism of the west. [T]
5. The British economic policies catered to the interest of the peasants and artisans. [F]