The Rise and Growth of Nationalism in India
The rise and growth of nationalism in India during British colonialism was driven by combination of social, economical, political and cultural factors. These factors collectively develop a sense of national identity and unity among the diverse Indian population leading to the emergence of a strong nationalist movement aimed at securing the independence from the British rule. When the British introduced western education in India, they aim at creating a class of educated Indians who could serve the British interest, promoted the ideas of modern government and administration. The English language help the nationalist leaders from the different linguistic backgrounds to communicate with each other and create a sense of national identity. The modern western education promoted the ideas of democracy, freedom and nationalism. The social reform movement led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekanand and Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar promoted the idea of social equality, justice and modernity which created a new nationalist agenda. The reform movement promoted a sense of pride in Indian culture and heritage. The revival of Indian language, literature and art under the leader like Rabindra Nath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay develop a sense of culture renaissance the reenforce national pride and identity. The second half of 19th century saw the rise of nationalist press in India. It criticized the British policies and brought together people from different backgrounds by spreading awareness. The rise of nationalist press with newspaper like Amrita Bazar Patrika, Maratha Kesari, etc. played an important role in spreading the nationalist idea and mobilizing public opinion against the British rule. The success of nationalist movement in other parts of world such as American Revolution, French Revolution, The Italian and German unification inspired the Indian nationalist and provided them with the strategies and hope for their own struggle. The political unification of the country necessities by the connivence of administration had two fold effect i.e. the economic faith of the people of different regions got linked together and the people living different parts of the country start looking towards each other as one. The broader means of transport and communication such as railways brought people together specially the leaders from different regions. Together this was important for exchange of political ideas and for the mobilization and organization of the public opinion on political and economic issues. British administrative and economic policies gave rise to a new urban middle class in the town and cities. This class prominent because of education, new position and it close link with the British officials came to the fore front. The leadership to the Indian National Congress in all its stages of growth was provided by this class. The racial myth of white superiority were sought to be perpetuated by the British through a deliberate policy of discrimination and segregation. Indian felt deeply hurt by this. e.g. the reactionary policies of Lord Lytton made it clear to the nationalist that justice and fair play could not be expected where the interest of European community involved. The historical researchers by the European and Indian scholars created a entirely new picture of India's past. The theories put forward by European scholars such as Alexander Kalin Gum, Alexander Rea, Albert Henry, etc. emphasized that the Indo-Aryans belong to the same ethnic group from which the people of other European nation belong. The self respect and confidence gain by this nationalist to demolish the colonial myth that India had a long history of sub-ordination to the foreign rulers.