Vardaan Learning Institute
Chapter 3: Objectives & Methods of Struggle of the Early Nationalists (1885–1905)
Chapter Overview
The early phase of the Indian National Congress (1885–1905) was led by leaders known as the Early Nationalists (or Moderates). They were Western-educated intellectuals who believed in constitutional agitation, dialogue, and British sense of justice to reform colonial administration gradually.
1. Beliefs and Demands of the Early Nationalists
- Faith in British Justice They believed the British were essentially just, liberty-loving, and progressive, and that British rule had brought modern benefits (railways, press, education) to India.
- Constitutional Means Believed that India was not yet ready for direct mass struggle; grievances should be presented through petitions, resolutions, and constitutional agitation.
- Root Cause of Misrule Believed misrule was due to ignorant local British bureaucrats in India, not the British Parliament or British public in London.
Main Demands of the Early Nationalists
Four Pillars of Demands
1. Constitutional Reforms
- Expansion of Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils.
- Increase in the proportion of elected Indian members in councils.
- Greater control over state finances with the slogan: "No taxation without representation."
- Abolition of the Secretary of State's Indian Council in London.
2. Administrative Reforms
- Indianization of higher civil services by holding simultaneous Indian Civil Service (ICS) examinations in India and England.
- Complete separation of the Judiciary from the Executive.
- Repeal of the discriminatory Arms Act (1878) and Vernacular Press Act.
- Increase in expenditure on technical education and spread of primary education.
3. Economic Reforms
- Reduction in land revenue demands and protection of peasants from zamindari oppression.
- Protection of Indian industries through protective tariffs on British imports.
- Abolition of the salt tax and duty on sugar.
- Reduction in military expenditure incurred by the British Indian army.
4. Civil Rights
- Protection of basic civil liberties: freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of association.
- Right to form trade unions and political associations.
2. Methods of Struggle (The Three Ps)
Methodology
The Early Nationalists used two-fold constitutional methods commonly summarized as the 3 Ps: Petitions, Prayers, and Protests.
- First Objective (Educating People in India): Creating national political consciousness, organizing public meetings, passing resolutions, submitting petitions, and publishing articles in newspapers.
- Second Objective (Influencing British Public & Parliament): Setting up the British Committee of the Indian National Congress in London (1889), which published a weekly journal called India to inform the British public about Indian grievances. Sending delegations of leading Indian leaders to England.
3. Key Early Nationalist Leaders
Grand Old Man of India
Dadabhai Naoroji (1825–1917)
Revered as the "Grand Old Man of India", he was a pioneering economist, statesman, and nationalist leader.
- Drain of Wealth Theory: Wrote the landmark book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, proving mathematically that Britain was siphoning off India's economic resources without any return, keeping India impoverished.
- INC Presidency: Thrice elected President of the Indian National Congress (1886 at Calcutta, 1893 at Lahore, 1906 at Calcutta). At the 1906 session, he declared Swaraj (Self-Government) as the goal of Congress for the first time.
- First Indian British MP: First Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons (from Central Finsbury constituency in 1892).
- Organisations Founded: Founded the East India Association in London (1866) and co-founded the Bombay Association.
Political Guru of Gandhi
Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866–1915)
Known for his moderate outlook, deep knowledge of finance, and dedication to public service. Mahatma Gandhi regarded him as his political guru.
- Servants of India Society (1905): Founded this society to train patriotic men and women to dedicate their lives to the service of the country, promote education, and elevate untouchables.
- Legislative Work: Member of the Imperial Legislative Council (1902). Criticized the government budget, advocated reduction in land revenue, and championed free and compulsory primary education.
- Role in Welcoming Gandhi: Advised Mahatma Gandhi during his struggle in South Africa and persuaded him to return to India in 1915 to join national politics.
- INC President: Presided over the 1905 Banaras Session of the INC during the Anti-Partition movement.
Father of Indian Nationalism
Surendranath Banerjee (1848–1925)
Hailed as the "Father of Indian Nationalism" and known as the "Indian Burke" for his extraordinary oratorical skills.
- Civil Services Controversy: Cleared the competitive ICS examination in London but was dismissed from service on trivial technical grounds. He turned to political agitation to organize national resistance.
- Indian Association (1876): Founded the Indian Association to unite educated Indians and fight racial discrimination. Organized the National Conference in 1883 (precursor to INC).
- Newspaper & Press: Edited the influential newspaper The Bengalee to criticize government policies and inspire political consciousness.
- Opposition to Bengal Partition: Led the Anti-Partition agitation in Bengal through speeches and mass mobilizations.
4. Assessment of the Early Nationalists
Evaluation
Achievements / Successes
- Created nationwide political awareness and a common national identity across diverse regions.
- Exposed the true exploitative nature of British colonial rule through economic analysis (Drain of Wealth).
- Trained Indians in representative politics, democratic institutions, and constitutional debate.
- Secured administrative reforms like the Indian Councils Act of 1892.
Failures / Limitations
- Narrow social base — failed to involve masses, peasants, and workers (limited to urban educated elites).
- Their reliance on "Prayers, Petitions, and Protests" (criticized as political mendicancy) yielded few immediate concessions from the British.
