The early nationalists, also known as the moderates, made a crucial contribution to India's independence struggle. Though the moderates believed in British justice and were loyal to them, they made constant efforts to demand political representation and better governance, which caused the development of anti-British sentiments among the masses. They resorted to constitutional means for raising their protest, through petitioning and non-violent protest. G.K Gokhale, W.C Banerjee, Feroz Shah Mehta, etc. were some of the most prominent names among the early nationalists. This article will deal with the major contributions made by these national leaders in the freedom struggle which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Contributions by the Early Nationalists

Economic Critique of British Imperialism

• Early nationalists such as Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, Dinshaw Wacha, and others carefully examined the political economy of British rule in India and proposed the "drain theory" to explain British exploitation of India.
• They were opposed to the transformation of an essentially self-sufficient Indian economy into a colonial economy.
• As a result, the Moderates were able to create an all-India public opinion that British rule in India was a major cause of poverty and economic backwardness in India.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Economic Critique of British Imperialism

Constitutional Reforms

• Until 1920, India's legislative councils had no real official power. Nonetheless, the work done in them by nationalists aided the growth of the national movement.
• The Imperial Legislative Council, established by the Indian Councils Act (1861), was an impotent body whose purpose was to disguise official measures as having been passed by a representative body.
• Only 45 Indians were nominated to it in the 30 years from 1862 to 1892, with the majority of them being wealthy, landed, and with loyalist interests.
• Only a few political figures and independent intellectuals were nominated, including Syed Ahmed Khan, Kristodas Pal, V.N. Mandlik, K.L. Nulkar, and Rashbehari Ghosh.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Constitutional Reforms

Campaign for Administrative Reforms

• Indianisation of Government service.
• Demand that judicial and executive functions be separated.
• Criticism of a tyrannical and oppressive bureaucracy, as well as an expensive and time-consuming judicial system.
• Criticism of an aggressive foreign policy that resulted in the annexation of Burma, an attack on Afghanistan, and the suppression of tribals in the North West—all of which cost the Indian treasury a lot of money.
• Demand an increase in spending on welfare (such as health and sanitation), education, irrigation projects, and agricultural development, among other things.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Campaign for Administrative Reforms

Defence of Civil Rights

• Civil rights included the freedom of expression, thought, association, and the press.
• The nationalists were able to spread modern democratic ideas through an unending campaign, and soon the defense of civil rights became an integral part of the freedom struggle.
• The arrest of Tilak and several other leaders and journalists in 1897, as well as the arrest and deportation of the Natu brothers without a trial, sparked widespread public outrage.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Defence of Civil Rights

Conclusion

The early nationalists aimed for democratic self-government as a long-term goal. They aided in the extension of councils, i.e., greater participation of Indians in councils, as well as the reform of councils, i.e., giving councils additional authority, particularly over money. They criticized a totalitarian and repressive bureaucracy, as well as an expensive and time-consuming judicial system. Through constitutional means and constant petitioning, the moderates kept demanding the British government for better governance and political participation.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who among the following is considered the "Grand Old Man of India" for his contributions to the early national movement?

A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
B) Surendranath Banerjee
C) Dadabhai Naoroji
D) Lala Lajpat Rai

2. Which of the following was a key objective of the early nationalists in India?

A) Complete independence from British rule
B) Formation of a separate nation for Muslims
C) Political reforms and Indian representation in the British government
D) Promotion of radical social reforms

3. Who among the following played a significant role in the establishment of the Indian National Congress (INC)?

A) Lala Lajpat Rai
B) Dadabhai Naoroji
C) Surendranath Banerjee
D) Allan Octavian Hume

4. Which of the following was the primary focus of the early nationalists in India?

A) Radical social reform
B) Full independence from British rule
C) Economic independence
D) Constitutional reforms and Indian representation in the British government

5. Who is considered the mentor of the early nationalists and is regarded as the father of modern India?

A) Surendranath Banerjee
B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
C) Lala Lajpat Rai
D) Dadabhai Naoroji

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the contributions of early nationalists to the Indian freedom movement.

Answer: The early nationalists played a critical role in laying the foundations of the Indian freedom movement by focusing on constitutional reforms, Indian representation in the British government, and the removal of social evils. Figures like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale were instrumental in advocating for political reforms and drawing attention to the economic exploitation of India under British rule. Their efforts set the stage for later phases of the freedom struggle, including the rise of more radical leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Subhas Chandra Bose, who would push for more aggressive action toward independence.

Q2: Discuss the role of the Indian National Congress in the early stages of the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, played a significant role in the early stages of the Indian freedom struggle. Under the leadership of early nationalists, the INC sought to represent the political aspirations of educated Indians within the British colonial framework. The early INC focused on securing political reforms, such as increased Indian representation in legislative bodies and civil service. Although the Congress did not initially call for full independence, it provided a platform for political dialogue, petitioning, and advocacy, which later evolved into a major force for Indian self-rule.

Q3: How did the early nationalists contribute to the social reforms in India?

Answer: Early nationalists such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy contributed immensely to social reforms in India. They worked to abolish social evils such as Sati, child marriage, and the caste system. Vidyasagar, for example, was instrumental in the passage of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, which allowed widows to remarry. These reforms, combined with their advocacy for education and social equality, laid the groundwork for future social movements that would contribute to the empowerment of marginalized communities and the modernization of Indian society.

Previous Year Questions on Early Nationalists

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Who is known as the "Grand Old Man of India" for his contributions to the Indian freedom movement?

A) Dadabhai Naoroji
B) Surendranath Banerjee
C) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
D) Lala Lajpat Rai

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the "Grand Old Man of India," was a prominent early nationalist who highlighted the economic drain theory and was a strong advocate for Indian representation in the British government.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the contributions of early nationalists to the Indian National Congress and the development of the Indian freedom movement.

Answer: Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee played a pivotal role in the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) and its early activities. They focused on promoting constitutional reforms, economic self-representation, and the abolition of social inequalities. Although they did not demand full independence, their efforts paved the way for more radical approaches and laid the foundation for the growth of the national movement that eventually led to India's independence.