The era of militant nationalism started from 1905 onwards till 1909. In the 1890s, a radical trend of a militant nationalist approach to political activity began to emerge, and by 1905, it had taken concrete form. As a result of this trend, a revolutionary wing emerged. The militant nationalists caused a break in the national movement by employing more radical methods of agitation than the earlier moderates. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipan Chandra Pal, and Lajpat Rai were prominent leaders during this period of the national movement. In this article we will discuss the various facets of Era of Militant Nationalism which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Growth of Militant Nationalism

• Militant nationalism (also known as extremism) has gradually grown in the country over the years. It manifested itself in the Bengal anti-partition movement of 1905.
• Even in its early days, the Indian national movement had made a large number of people aware of the dangers of foreign dominance and the importance of cultivating patriotism.
• It had provided educated Indians with the necessary political training. It had, in fact, changed the mood of the people and given birth to a new way of life in the country.
• Simultaneously, the British government's refusal to accept any of the major demands of the nationalists led to disillusionment among the politically conscious with the principles and methods of the dominant moderate leadership.
• Instead of appeasing moderate nationalists, the British rulers denigrated and mocked them.
• As a result, there was a strong demand for more aggressive political action and methods than meetings, petitions, memorials, and speeches in legislative councils.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Growth of Militant Nationalism

Swadeshi Movement & Boycott Movement (1905-1908)

• The Swadeshi movement was a self-sufficiency movement that was a part of the Indian independence movement and helped to shape Indian nationalism.
• The Swadeshi movement began in 1905 as a unified reaction to Bengal's partition and lasted until 1908. It was, in fact, the most successful of the pre-Gandhian movements.
• After the British Government's decision to partition Bengal was made public in December 1903, there was widespread dissatisfaction among Indians.
• In response, the Swadeshi movement was formally launched on August 7, 1905, from Town Hall Calcutta, with the goal of reducing reliance on foreign goods in favor of domestic production.
• Moderates launched the Anti-Partition Campaign to put pressure on the government to prevent the unjust partition of Bengal from taking place.
• Petitions were sent to the government, public meetings were held, and ideas were disseminated through newspapers such as Hitabadi, Sanjibani, and Bengalee.
• The partition sparked protests in Bengal, where the pledge to boycott foreign goods was first made.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Swadeshi Movement & Boycott Movement (1905-1908)

Formation of All India Muslim League (1906)

• The All India Muslim League (also known as the Muslim League) was a political party founded in British India in 1906.
• Its strong advocacy, beginning in 1930, for the establishment of a separate Muslim-majority nation-state, Pakistan, resulted in the British Empire partitioning India in 1947.
• The party arose from the need for political representation of Muslims in British India, particularly in the event of massive Hindu opposition to Bengal's partition in 1905, which was sponsored by the Indian National Congress.
• During the annual meeting of the All India Muslim Education Conference in Ahsan Manzil in 1906, the Nawab of Dhaka, Khwaja Salimullah, proposed the formation of a political party to protect the interests of Muslims in British India.
• All India Muslim League, was a political organisation that led the movement for the establishment of a separate Muslim nation during the partition of British India (1947).
• Initially encouraged by the British and generally supportive of their rule, the league adopted self-government for India as its goal in 1913.
• For decades, the league and its leaders, most notably Mohammed Ali Jinnah, advocated Hindu-Muslim unity in a united and independent India.
• It wasn't until 1940 that the League of Nations called for the establishment of a separate Muslim state from India's planned independent state.
• Because it feared that an independent India would be dominated by Hindus, the league advocated for a separate nation for India's Muslims.
• Jinnah and the Muslim League led the fight for the partition of British India into separate Hindu and Muslim states, and the league became Pakistan's dominant political party after the country's independence in 1947.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Formation of All India Muslim League (1906)

Surat Session of INC (1907)

• At the Surat session of INC in 1907, held on the banks of the Tapti River, the Indian National Congress split into two factions: extremists and moderates.
• Lokmanya Tilak, Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal led the extremists, while Gopal Krishna Gokhale led the moderates.
• The moderate and extremist delegates of the Congress met in Surat in an atmosphere charged with excitement and anger.
• The ridicule and venom heaped on the moderates by the extremists in the mass meetings held in Surat a few days before the session, and the extremists were energized by the rumor that the moderates wanted to scuttle their Kolkata resolutions.
• The Congress session began with extremists objecting to the duly elected president for the year, Rash Behari Ghosh.
• The split was unavoidable because both sides came to the session prepared for a fight.
• The extremists initially dominated the session, but they soon accepted Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh as president and offered to cooperate. However, the meeting was called to a halt. Congress became divided.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Surat Session of INC (1907)

Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley Minto Reforms)

• The Indian Councils Act (1909), also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, were a set of reforms devised by and named after the Viceroy Lord Minto and the Secretary of State for India, John Morley.
• They both agreed that reforms were needed to appease both moderates and Muslims. They were preceded by two major events.
• This act amended the Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892.
• It significantly increased the size of the Central and Provincial Legislative Councils. The Central Legislative Council's membership was increased from 16 to 60. The number of members in provincial legislative councils varied.
• It kept the Central Legislative Council's official majority but allowed provincial legislative councils to have a non-official majority.
• It increased the deliberative powers of legislative councils at both levels. Members could, for example, ask supplementary questions, move budget resolutions, and so on.
• It allowed Indians to join the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors for the first time. Satyendra Prasad Sinha was the first Indian to be appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council. He was appointed to the position of law member.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reform)

Conclusion

Militant nationalism was a distinct stage in the anti-colonial struggle. It introduced new methods of political agitation, used popular symbols for mobilisation, and attempted to broaden the movement's base.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the impact of the Partition of Bengal on the growth of militant nationalism in India.

Answer: The Partition of Bengal in 1905 played a crucial role in the rise of militant nationalism. The British government's decision to divide Bengal on communal lines was viewed as a deliberate attempt to weaken the unity of Indians. The Swadeshi and Boycott movements emerged as a reaction to this partition, encouraging people to reject British goods and adopt indigenous products. Militant leaders like Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai advocated aggressive actions to oppose British policies. The resentment towards the partition galvanized mass movements, laying the foundation for future struggles for independence.

Q2: Analyze the role of 'Lal-Bal-Pal' in shaping the era of militant nationalism.

Answer: Lal-Bal-Pal—Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal—were pivotal in shaping the militant nationalist phase. They rejected the moderate methods of petitions and prayers, promoting a more aggressive stance against British rule. Their advocacy of Swadeshi, boycott movements, and resistance to British policies inspired mass mobilization. Tilak's slogan "Swaraj is my birthright" became a rallying cry. Their efforts helped unite different sections of society and shifted the focus of the freedom struggle towards self-reliance and assertive nationalism.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of the Swadeshi Movement during the era of militant nationalism.

Answer: The Swadeshi Movement, born out of opposition to the Partition of Bengal, was a defining feature of militant nationalism. It emphasized self-reliance by encouraging the use of indigenous products and the boycott of British goods. The movement aimed to promote local industries, reduce economic dependence on the British, and foster a sense of national pride. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai actively promoted Swadeshi as part of their broader nationalist agenda. Although the movement faced repression, it marked the beginning of a shift towards assertive nationalism and laid the groundwork for future struggles.

Previous Year Questions on  Era of Militant Nationalism

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2016

Question: The Partition of Bengal was annulled in which year?

a) 1909

b) 1911

c) 1916

d) 1920

Answer: b) 1911

Explanation: The Partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911 due to widespread protests and nationalist movements, including the Swadeshi Movement, which made it difficult for the British to maintain their divide-and-rule strategy.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017

Question: Explain the role of the Swadeshi Movement in shaping India’s struggle for independence. (200 words)

Answer: The Swadeshi Movement was a crucial milestone in India’s freedom struggle, emerging as a reaction to the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It sought to promote the use of indigenous goods while boycotting British products. The movement symbolized self-reliance and economic independence, encouraging the growth of Indian industries. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai actively championed the cause, mobilizing students, women, and workers to participate. The Swadeshi Movement also fostered the revival of traditional Indian crafts and industries. Despite facing severe repression, including arrests and deportations, the movement left a lasting impact by instilling nationalist pride and inspiring future movements like Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience. It marked the beginning of an era where Indians moved from petitions to direct action, setting the stage for more assertive struggles against British rule.