Recognition of True Nature of British Rule - Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) - Modern India History Notes
The 1890s saw the emergence of a militant nationalist approach to political activity, which was visible by 1905. In addition to this trend, a revolutionary wing emerged. The politically conscious Indians were now able to see and recognize the true nature of British rule and were convinced that its main purpose was to exploit India economically and to enrich England at the cost of India. They were now able to see that the Indian economy and industry could progress only under an Indian government which would protect and promote it. In this article, we will discuss the Recognition of True Nature of British Rule which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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Militant Nationalism - An Overview
- 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.
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| Moderate Phase(1885-1905) | Important Leaders of Moderate Phase |
| growth of education | International influences |
Factors which led to Recognition of True Nature of British Rule
- The moderate nationalists' politics were based on the belief that British rule could be reformed from within.
- However, the spread of knowledge about political and economic issues gradually undermined this belief. To a large extent, this was caused by the moderates' political agitation.
- Nationalist writers and agitators blamed British rule for the people's poverty.
- Politically aware Indians were convinced that the purpose of British rule was to economically exploit India, that is, to enrich England at the expense of India.
- They realized that unless British imperialism was replaced by a government controlled and run by the Indian people, India would make little economic progress.
- Nationalists, in particular, came to realize that Indian industries could not thrive without an Indian government to protect and promote them.
- The disastrous famines that ravaged India from 1896 to 1900, killing over 90 lakh people, symbolized the evil economic consequences of foreign rule in the eyes of the people.
- The political events of 1892-1905 also disappointed nationalists, prompting them to consider more radical politics. Even the existing political rights of the people were attacked.
- In 1898, a law was passed making it a crime to incite "disaffection" toward a foreign government.
- The number of Indian members in the Calcutta Corporation was reduced in 1899.
- The Indian Official Secrets Act, which limited press freedom, was passed in 1904.
- The Natu brothers were deported without being tried in 1897, and the charges against them were never made public.
- The same year, Lokamanya Tilak and other newspaper editors were sentenced to long prison terms for inciting people to oppose the foreign government.
- As a result, the people discovered that, rather than expanding their political rights, the rulers were removing even their few existing ones.
- Thus, an increasing number of Indians were persuaded that self-government was necessary for the country's economic, political, and cultural progress, and that political enslavement meant stunting the Indian people's growth.
Conclusion
The extremists appeared out of nowhere in the first decade of the twentieth century. The extremist ideology had been simmering since the Revolt of 1857, and it finally surfaced in 1905 during the Bengal partition. Moderate politics had already trained educated Indians in political agitation. Some of them were becoming disillusioned with the moderates' methods, which had yielded little and elicited a cold and contemptuous response from the British. As a result, there was a strong demand for more vigorous political action than just prayers, petitions, and protests.
FAQs
Question: What was the significance of the period 1905-1909 in the context of India's history?
Answer: The period 1905-1909 saw the rise of militant nationalism in India, marked by the Swadeshi Movement and the partition of Bengal. It was a crucial phase in India's struggle for independence, characterized by increased public awareness and resistance against British rule.
Question: How did the partition of Bengal influence Indian nationalism?
Answer: The partition of Bengal in 1905 was seen as a deliberate attempt by the British to divide Hindus and Muslims and weaken the nationalist movement. It sparked widespread protests, leading to the Swadeshi Movement, which became a turning point in Indian nationalism.
Question: Who were the prominent leaders associated with militant nationalism during 1905-1909?
Answer: Prominent leaders during this period included Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. They advocated for direct action, including boycotts and protests, and were key figures in the Swadeshi Movement and other nationalist activities.
Question: What was the role of the Swadeshi Movement in the fight against British rule?
Answer: The Swadeshi Movement played a vital role in fostering national unity and promoting self-reliance. It called for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made products. The movement laid the foundation for future mass protests and resistance against British rule.
Question: How did the British government respond to the rise of militant nationalism in India?
Answer: The British responded with repressive measures, including the suppression of protests, arrests of leaders, and censorship of the press. They sought to control the growing nationalist sentiments through strict law enforcement and political surveillance.
MCQs
1. What was the main reason behind the partition of Bengal in 1905?
A) Economic reasons
B) Administrative efficiency
C) Divide and rule strategy
D) Promotion of education
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The British partitioned Bengal in 1905 as part of their divide and rule strategy, aiming to weaken the growing nationalist sentiments by creating divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Who were the key leaders of the Swadeshi Movement?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel
B) Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi
D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The key leaders of the Swadeshi Movement were Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who promoted boycotts and protests against British rule, advocating for self-reliance and Indian nationalism.
3. What was the primary objective of the Swadeshi Movement?
A) Economic development
B) Boycott of foreign goods
C) Social reforms
D) Constitutional reforms
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The primary objective of the Swadeshi Movement was to boycott foreign goods and promote Indian-made products. It aimed at reducing British economic control and fostering national unity.
4. Which year did the partition of Bengal take place?
A) 1901
B) 1905
C) 1909
D) 1911
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The partition of Bengal took place in 1905, a move that sparked widespread protests and played a key role in the development of militant nationalism in India.
5. What was the response of the British government to the Swadeshi Movement?
A) Support for the movement
B) Arrests and suppression
C) Encouragement of boycotts
D) Increased political freedom
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The British government responded to the Swadeshi Movement with repressive measures, including arrests of leaders, suppression of protests, and censorship to stifle the growing nationalist sentiments.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Critically analyze the impact of the partition of Bengal (1905) on the Indian freedom struggle.
Answer: The partition of Bengal in 1905 was a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle. It was seen as a deliberate attempt by the British to sow division between Hindus and Muslims, but instead, it unified the Indian population against colonial rule. The move led to widespread protests, including the Swadeshi Movement, which emphasized boycotting British goods and promoting indigenous products. Leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak used this opportunity to rally people and strengthen nationalist sentiments. The partition ultimately failed to achieve its objective and was reversed in 1911, but it ignited a new wave of militant nationalism that laid the foundation for future resistance against British colonialism.
Q2: Discuss the role of the Swadeshi Movement in the rise of militant nationalism in India.
Answer: The Swadeshi Movement, initiated in response to the partition of Bengal in 1905, played a crucial role in the rise of militant nationalism in India. It marked a shift from moderate to more radical forms of resistance against British rule. The movement encouraged widespread boycotts of British goods, protests, and the promotion of Indian-made products. The involvement of key nationalist leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai energized the Indian masses and intensified the call for self-rule. The Swadeshi Movement also set the stage for later events, including the formation of the All India Muslim League and the growing influence of more radical leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh.
Q3: How did the British government react to the rise of militant nationalism in India during the period 1905-1909?
Answer: The British government reacted to the rise of militant nationalism with repression. The period 1905-1909 saw several acts of defiance, including protests, strikes, and the boycott of British goods. In response, the British authorities arrested key leaders, imposed curfews, and censored nationalist publications. The British also passed several laws to control public gatherings and suppress any forms of dissent. Despite these efforts, the movement only gained momentum, leading to the growth of radical nationalism and increased public awareness of the need for independence. This period marked a significant shift towards direct action and a more aggressive stance against colonial rule.
Previous Year Questions on Era of Militant Nationalism
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:
Question: What was the main objective of the Swadeshi Movement in India?
A) Promote foreign goods
B) Boycott British goods and promote indigenous products
C) Support British rule in India
D) Social and political reforms through cooperation
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The main objective of the Swadeshi Movement was to boycott British goods and promote indigenous products, aiming to reduce British economic dominance and foster national unity.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):
Question: Analyze the significance of the Swadeshi Movement in the context of Indian nationalism.
Answer: The Swadeshi Movement marked a significant phase in the rise of Indian nationalism. It not only sparked a series of protests and mass mobilizations but also laid the foundation for future nationalist movements. Leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak promoted the idea of self-reliance and resistance through non-cooperation with the British. The movement also contributed to the unification of Hindus and Muslims against British colonial rule.
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