Topic: Causes Responsible for the Rise of Indian Freedom Struggle.

Ques. 1 : Briefly discuss the causes responsible for the rise of Indian freedom struggle?

Ans. At the beginning of the 19th century India was regarded as one of the few countries with least possibilities for the rise of nationalism or the growth of national movement. The main reason for such assumptions was that the vast population of India was not only politically and backward but also disunited by barriers of language, religion, culture etc. The dearth of unifying sense of nationalism and patriotic feelings was one of the cogent contributing factors to the foundation and consolidation of the British rule in India. Certain colonial scholars did not even regard India as a nation. But India, throughout the course of her history had enjoyed inherent unity in diversity. This unity in diversity greatly helped in the rise and growth of Indian National Movement. The 19th and early 20th centuries were an age of democratic, liberal and nationalist ideas. The American War of Independence, the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution of 1917 etc., greatly inspired the rise and growth of the National Movement in India. No doubt all these external events, internal turmoils and self-realisation together inspired the rise and growth of the Indian National Movement.

India’s National Movement was truly Indian in the respect that it was world’s first struggle for freedom based on truth and non-violence and its foundations was laid by the socio-religious reform movement of the 19th century.

CAUSES

Among the many causes responsible for the rise of the national movement the following deserve special mention:

1. The Macaulavian system of education though conceived in the interests of efficient administration opened to the newly educated Indians the foodgates of liberal European thought The liberal and radical thoughts of European writers inspired the Indian intelligentsia with the ideals of liberty, nationality and self-government. The spread and expansion of the English language gave to the Indians living in different linguistic regions a common language-lingua franca.

2. In the nineteenth century the development of vernacular languages was also phenomenal. The neo-educated class conveyed their ideas of liberty and equality to the masses through the media of these vernaculars. The vernacular literature greatly helped in arousing Indian nationalism.

3. Socially, British Imperialism destroyed the old, order of society in India. After the Rebellion of 1857 and the British administrators realised that the reactionary and feudal elements of society could serve as strong props of Imperialism. This change in policy exposed the hollowness of British professions and drove the English Administrators and the progressive elements in opposite camps.

4. The development of the various socio-religious movements prepared the ground for the growth of national movements and watered the plant of patriotism. The reform movements sought an all-round improvement of the Indian society. They gave the people a sense of pride in Indian culture and heritage and taught them the gospel of patriotism.

5. The economic policy pursued by the British in India had resulted in a lopsided development of Indian economy and impoverishment of the people. The economy of India was geared to the production of raw materials needed for the developing machine industry of England. Such a policy also made India as a growing market for English manufactured goods. The cumulative effect of British economic policies had resulted in chrominisery and found expression in mass unrest. Periodical famines became a regular feature of Indian economy.

6. The natural process of conquest and consolidation brought the whole of India under a sing1e political set-up. A network of roads and railways linked the bigger towns and the country with the world market. The setting up of an efficient posts and telegraphs system and the accompanying developments gave India the appearance of unity and fostered the spirit of one-mindedness.

7. The growth of the modern press and with it the public opinion was an offshoot of the English rule in India. Despite the numerous restrictions imposed on the press from time to time, Indian journalism made rapid strides. The Indian press created a strong public opinion opposed to imperialist policies, and played no insignificant role in fostering patriotism and developing nationalism.

8. The short-sighted acts and policies of Lord Lytton acted like catalytic agents. The maximum age limit for the I.C.S. examination was reduced from 21 years to 19 years, thus making it impossible for Indians to compete for it. Lytton put o the statute book two obnoxious measures the Vernacular Press Act and Indian Arms Act (1878). Lytton’s unpopular acts provoked a great storm of opposition in the country and led to the organisation of various political associations for carrying on anti- Government propaganda in the country.

9. One unfortunate legacy of the Rebellion of 1857 was the feeling of racial bitterness between the rulers and the ruled. The Anglo-Indian bureaucracy developed an attitude of arrogance and contempt towards the Indians. The Indians were dubbed as belonging to an inferior race and no longer worthy of any trust. This narrow approach evoked a reaction in the Indian mind and put the educated Indians on the defensive.

10. ILLBERT BILL (1883 CONTROVERSY)

In 1880, there was a change of Government in England, and the Liberal Party under Gladstone came into power. He was known for his liberal ideas and was a believer in moral principles. “Good Government” he pronounced, “was no substitute for self-government”, “It is our weakness and calamity”, he said that we have not been able to give India the blessing of free institutions”. He sent Lord Ripen, a close friend and follower, to “reform the structure of the Indian Government. The new Governor-GeneraI repealed the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, commenced industrial legislation by passing the first Factories Act, and took steps to promote local self-government in big cities and towns.

Ripon also sought to remove the individual distinction existing at that time between the European and Indian members of the judiciary. Indian sessions judges and magistrates were not re-empowered to try European offenders, and this was a cause of great annoyance to the educated community of the country. In 1883, the Law Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, Sir Courtenay Illbert, introduced in the Imperial Legislature a Bill, known after his name as Illbert Bill, designed to remove ‘The disability of Indian judges. The Anglo-Indian community opposed the enactment of the Bill vehemently, and asserted that the Indian judges were not fit to administer justice to a White offender. The European Defence Association, with branches in important cities of India, was formed to organize a campaign against the Bill. There were protest meetings and agitation, and it was proposed to kidnap Ripon and hold him to ransom. Even in England, the Government was under fire, Ripon had to bow to the storm and a compromise was made which provided that European and British subjects were to have a right to claim trial by Jury of twelve, atleast seven of whom, must be Europeans or Americans.

This manifestation of the British sense of racial superiority acted as a spark to the power magazine; it acted as an eye-opener to Indians. They learnt the lesson that they would have to undergo a long period of sacrifice and discipline if they wanted justice and equality in their own country. The educated class of people noted the extra-ordinary force of a minority when organized and directed by a single aim, and they applied the inference to their own situation. Demands began to arise for a national organization by means of which the grievances of the people against the British rule could be ventilated. A few thoughtful men, both Indians and English were not slow to measure the trends in the country and they took steps to organize the mass discontentment into a peaceful channel.

11. Certain external factors like home-rule movement in Ireland, Unification of Germany, Italy; Victory of Japan over an European power Russia in 1905 also produced nationalist and revolutionary feelings among the Indians.

12. Repressive and Reactionary Policies of Lord Curzon virtually made the Indian National Movement Militant. Some of his most denounced utterances and actions were:

• a) Curzon went back on Queen Victoria’s proclamation.

• b) Calcutta Town Hall speech of Curzon “Indians are cheats” greatly injured the Indian conscience.

• c) Bitter speeches at Dacca and to divide Hindus and Muslims.

• d) Partition of Bengal in 1905, became the basis of militant nationalism in India. The nationalist came to the conclusion that the constitutional agitation will not help in undoing the wrongs.

It is from here that Swadeshi and Boycott became political weapons. It is here that the Bengali youth learnt the cult of Gita and Grenade ‘to live in bondage is negation of life. We want end of British Rule’.
The beginning of the Indian National Movement is rightly regarded with the foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, which united the Indian nationalists of all shades and opinions into a common front of the nationalists and soon the roots of national struggle for freedom spread to all parts of the country.

National Movement from 1885 to 1947, may broadly be divided into four parts:

• 1885-1905 - The moderate Phase of the Congress.

• 1905-1915 - Extremist and Home Rule Movements.

• 1916-1942 - The Gandhian Era and Militant Phase of the National Movement

• 1942-1947 - India’s march towards the attainment of freedom.

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