The early nationalists used constitutional methods to put forward their demands. The Early Nationalists used the three P's – Petitions, Prayers, and Protest – to achieve their goals while relying on constitutional and peaceful methods and avoiding violence and confrontation. Early nationalists instilled a sense of belonging to a single nation, and they educated people in politics by popularizing ideas such as democracy, civil liberties, secularism, and nationalism, among others. The moderate political action involved constitutional agitation within the bounds of the law, and it demonstrated slow but orderly political growth. The British, according to the Moderates, genuinely wished to be fair to the Indians but were unaware of the true situation. In this article, we will detail the constitutional methods adopted by early nationalists which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Objectives of Early nationalists

• The early nationalists believed that if public opinion could be developed in the country, and popular demands brought to the government through resolutions, petitions, meetings, and other means, the authorities would gradually give in to these requests.
• The early nationalists resorted to a two-tiered methodology:
  • create a strong public opinion to arouse consciousness and national spirit and then educate and unite people on common political questions;
  • persuade the British Government and British public opinion to introduce reforms in India on the lines laid out by the nationalists.

Constitutional Methods Adopted by Early Nationalists

• They provided education to the masses in India.
• They held meetings and delivered speeches in order to press their demands.
• They used the press to criticize the government's policies.
• They sent memorandums and petitions to government officials and the British Parliament.
• Rather than violence and hostility, they believed in patience and reconciliation. They adhered to the three P's: Petition, Prayer, and Protest.
  • This was accomplished through the distribution of petitions and request letters in protest of the government's unjust policies.
  • These methods could be categorized as constitutional and nonviolent.
• In 1889, the Indian National Congress established a British Committee in London, which published a weekly journal, India, to present India's case to the British public.
• They concentrate on teaching people, raising their political awareness, and forming public opinion.
• They also requested that the government conduct an investigation and provide solutions to the people's concerns.
• They met and discussed issues of social, economic, and cultural importance.
• Indian leaders were sent to Britain on deputation to achieve their goals.
  • For example, Dadabhai Naoroji dedicated a significant portion of his life to raising awareness of the plight of Indians among British citizens and parliamentarians.

Conclusion

The constitutional methods adopted had a huge impact on creating an anti-British sentiment across the country. However, the efforts were not sufficient, as they failed to ensure the participation of the masses. The relative inaction by the moderates gave way to the rise of the extremists towards leading the Congress policies and national politics after 1905.

FAQs

Question: What were the Constitutional Methods used by early nationalists in India?

Question: Who were the early nationalists in India?

Question: What was the role of the Indian National Congress in the early nationalist movement?

Question: How did early nationalists view the British government in India?

Question: What were the main demands of early nationalists?

MCQs

1. What was the primary objective of early nationalists in India?

A) To demand full independence

B) To secure political reforms through constitutional methods

C) To seek economic benefits for the British

D) To promote revolution against the British

2. Which of the following leaders was NOT part of the early nationalist movement in India?

A) Dadabhai Naoroji

B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

C) Lala Lajpat Rai

D) Surendranath Banerjee

3. What was the approach of the early nationalists towards the British government in India?

A) They sought immediate independence through violent means

B) They hoped to achieve political reforms within the British system

C) They focused on social reforms without engaging in politics

D) They sought to establish a republic immediately

4. Which event marked the beginning of the early nationalist movement in India?

A) The First War of Indian Independence

B) The formation of the Indian National Congress

C) The partition of Bengal

D) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre

5. Which of the following was NOT a demand of the early nationalists in India?

A) Increased representation of Indians in the legislative councils

B) Greater control over the Indian economy

C) Full independence from British rule

D) Abolition of discriminatory laws against Indians

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the constitutional methods used by early nationalists to secure reforms from the British government.

Answer: The early nationalists used constitutional methods such as petitions, memorials, and resolutions to secure reforms from the British government. They believed that through peaceful pressure and logical arguments, the British authorities could be convinced to grant greater rights and representation to Indians. Early leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale presented their demands in a reasonable manner, seeking gradual reforms such as the expansion of legislative councils, improvements in the Indian economy, and increased educational opportunities. While these methods were non-confrontational, they played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the later, more radical phase of the Indian freedom struggle.

Q2: Discuss the role of the Indian National Congress in the early phase of the nationalist movement.

Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, played a crucial role in the early phase of the nationalist movement by providing a platform for moderates to voice their demands for political reforms. The INC sought to achieve these reforms through constitutional means, such as representation in the British-Indian legislative councils, the promotion of Indian education, and the protection of Indian industries. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Surendranath Banerjee worked within the British framework to push for these reforms, hoping to convince the British to grant Indians a greater role in governance. While their demands were moderate, the INC set the stage for the later demands for full independence.

Q3: Analyze the relationship between early nationalists and the British government in India.

Answer: The relationship between early nationalists and the British government was largely one of dialogue and negotiation. The early nationalists were not seeking immediate independence but instead aimed at securing political and economic reforms within the British colonial system. They hoped that by advocating for reforms such as greater Indian representation in the legislative councils and the abolition of discriminatory laws, the British government would grant them a larger role in governance. Early nationalists, like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, believed that the British were benevolent rulers who could be persuaded to act in the best interests of India. However, this approach was not without its limitations, as it failed to address the more fundamental issues of colonial exploitation, which would later be tackled by the more radical phase of the freedom movement.

Previous Year Questions on Constitutional Methods 

1. UPSC CSE 2023

Question: Explain the methods used by early nationalists to influence the British government in India.

Answer: Early nationalists in India used constitutional methods such as petitions, memorials, and resolutions to influence the British government. They demanded greater Indian representation in legislative councils, economic reforms to benefit Indian industries, and the expansion of educational opportunities. These methods aimed to bring about gradual reforms without challenging British rule directly. The leaders believed that through peaceful advocacy and logical argument, they could persuade the British to recognize Indian aspirations for greater participation in governance.

2. UPSC CSE 2022

Question: How did the early nationalists view the British rule in India, and what were their main demands?

Answer: The early nationalists viewed British rule as exploitative but believed that the British government could be persuaded to enact reforms for the benefit of Indians. They did not seek immediate independence but demanded political and economic reforms within the existing system. Their main demands included increased representation of Indians in legislative councils, expansion of education, and the protection of Indian industries from foreign competition. These demands reflected a belief in working within the British framework to secure gradual reforms.