Chapter 2: Growth of Nationalism & Foundation of INC

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Chapter Overview

Nationalism is a feeling of oneness, common identity, and devotion towards one's nation. In India, modern nationalism emerged during the second half of the 19th century as a reaction against British economic exploitation, political subjection, and repressive measures, culminating in the birth of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885.

1. Factors Leading to the Growth of Nationalism

Catalysts of Indian Nationalism

1. Economic Exploitation of India

British economic policies subordinated Indian interests to British industry.

Ruin of Peasants: Heavy land revenue demands and ruthlessness of zamindars drove peasants into poverty and debt.
Ruin of Artisans & Craftsmen: Free trade policy allowed duty-free British manufactured goods to flood India while heavy tariffs hit Indian handloom exports in England.
Drain of Wealth: Dadabhai Naoroji proved that India's wealth was drained to Britain through Home Charges, salaries, and trade profits without any economic return.

2. Repressive Policies of Lord Lytton (1876–1880)

Viceroy Lord Lytton passed several outrageous measures that united Indians in protest:

Vernacular Press Act (1878): Muzzled Indian language newspapers by requiring editors to sign bonds promising not to print anything against the government. Passed to suppress criticism during famine.
Indian Arms Act (1878): Made it a criminal offense for Indians to carry arms without a license, while Europeans were exempted.
Lowering Age Limit for ICS Examination: Reduced maximum age from 21 to 19 years to prevent educated Indians from competing for Civil Service posts in London.
Imperial Delhi Durbar (1877): Spent millions on a lavish Durbar to declare Queen Victoria Empress of India while millions were dying in a severe famine across Southern India.

3. The Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883)

Introduced by Sir C.P. Ilbert (Law Member) under Viceroy Lord Ripon. The bill sought to remove racial discrimination by permitting Indian sessions judges and magistrates to try European offenders in mofussil (district) courts. Europeans launched a fierce, racist campaign (Defense Association) opposing the bill. Lord Ripon was forced to modify the bill, allowing Europeans to demand a jury of which at least half were Europeans. This taught Indians the vital lesson of organized political agitation.

4. Socio-Religious Reform Movements

Reformers eradicated social evils (sati, caste system, child marriage) and instilled pride in India's glorious past:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj): "Father of Modern India" — advocated Western education, press freedom, and social equality.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arya Samaj): Gave the call "Go back to the Vedas" and "India for Indians".
Jyotirao Phule (Satyashodhak Samaj): Fought for the elevation of lower castes and women's education.

5. Role of Press and Vernacular Literature

Newspapers like The Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Hindu, The Bengalee, and Kesari exposed British misrule. Patriotic literature like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Anandamath (containing Vande Mataram) inspired revolutionary national fervour.

6. Development of Transport & Communication

Railways, telegraphs, and a uniform 1-paisa postal rate physically connected different parts of India, enabling nationalist leaders to meet, coordinate, and foster a common national identity.

2. Pre-Congress Political Associations

Before the establishment of the INC in 1885, several regional political associations paved the way:

Key Pre-Congress Bodies

East India Association (1866) Founded in London by Dadabhai Naoroji to inform the British public and Parliament about Indian grievances and promote Indian welfare.
Indian Association (1876) Founded in Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose. It was the most important pre-Congress body, creating political awareness against the Vernacular Press Act and ICS age reduction. Organised the National Conference in 1883.

3. Foundation of the Indian National Congress (1885)

Formation Facts

Founder / Initiator: Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British Civil Servant, wrote an open letter to the graduates of Calcutta University urging them to form an association for national regeneration.
First Session: Held from 28 to 31 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay (originally scheduled at Poona, but shifted due to a cholera outbreak).
First President: Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (W.C. Bonnerjee), a prominent barrister from Calcutta.
Attendance: Attended by 72 prominent delegates from all provinces of India (including Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Dinshaw Wacha, Subramania Aiyar).

Immediate Objectives of the Indian National Congress

Aims of INC

To promote friendly relations and cooperation among patriotic political workers from different parts of the country.
To eradicate all racial, religious, and provincial prejudices and foster a feeling of national unity.
To formulate popular Indian demands on public questions and present them systematically to the British Government.
To train, organize, and consolidate public opinion in the country.
To determine the lines upon which political work should be carried out during the next twelve months.

Chapter 2: Growth of Nationalism & Foundation of the Indian National Congress

1. Factors Leading to the Growth of Nationalism

2. Pre-Congress Political Associations

3. Foundation of the Indian National Congress (1885)

Immediate Objectives of the Indian National Congress