History & Civics
In the second phase of the national movement, there emerged a new younger group of leaders within the Congress who did not agree with the old leadership. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain how the repressive policies of Lord Curzon and influence of International events led to the Assertive nationalism.
(b) Name the Assertive Nationalist leader who was wounded when he was leading a protest against Simon Commission. How were his words, when he was wounded, prophetics?
(c) Differentiate between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists in their objectives and achievements, stating one objective and two achievements of each wing of the Congress.
Answer
(a) Lord Curzon refused to recognise India as a nation. He was not in favour of giving freedom to India because he believed that the English were destined to rule over India. Therefore, he took several repressive measures to crush Indian Nationalism. These measures included —
- The Act of 1898 which made it an offence to provoke people against the British
- The Calcutta Corporation Act (1899) which reduced the strength of elected members from India, thereby giving the British a majority
- The Official Secrets Act
- The Indian Universities Act of 1904 which imposed strict official control over the Indian universities because Curzon considered them as the centres of nationalism.
All these measures created resentment in India.
Assertive nationalism was inspired by the examples of international events.
- For the first time, Japan, an Asian country, defeated Russia.
- Italian forces were defeated by the Abyssinians in Ethiopia.
- In South Africa, the Boers fought for three years (1899-1902) against the British Empire.
- In Ireland people were waging a full-scale Home Rule agitation.
These events broke the myth of the invincibility of the Europeans. The Assertive Nationalists felt that the united masses could throw out the British yoke.
(b) The Assertive Nationalist leader who was wounded when he was leading a protest against Simon Commission was Lala Lajpat Rai.
On the day he was wounded, he said, 'Lathi blows inflicted on me would prove some day as nails in the coffin of the British empire.' His words, when he was wounded, turned out to be prophetic. This statement turned out to be significant, as it reflected the growing sentiment and determination of Indians to free themselves from British colonial rule. His words became symbolic of the resistance movement and inspired many to join the struggle for independence. His sacrifice galvanized the Indian nationalist movement and intensified the call for self-governance.
(c) The difference between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists in their objectives is as follows-
| Early Nationalists | Assertive Nationalists |
|---|---|
| Their main objective was to attain a self-government like the British occupied colonies did. They did not want British to leave India. | Their main objective was the immediate attainment of 'Swaraj' through more self-reliant methods. They wanted British to leave India. |
The difference between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists regarding their achievements is as follows-
| Early Nationalists | Assertive Nationalists |
|---|---|
| They trained Indians in the art of political work. | They inculcated national pride among the Indians by extolling India's past. |
| They pressurized the British Government to introduce certain reforms like the appointment of Public Service Commission, 1886, holding ICS examination simultaneously in London and India and appointment of the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure. | They promoted self-reliance through Swadeshi and Boycott movements. |
Related Questions
One of Lord Curzon's administrative measures that resulted in a strong resentment from the masses was the Partition of Bengal in 1905. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) What was Lord Curzon's argument in favour of the Partition of Bengal? How did the nationalists interpret Lord Curzon's motives?
(b) How did the people react to the Partition of Bengal?
(c) What was the impact of the Anti-Partition Movement?
With reference to the Surat Split of 1907, answer the following questions:
(a) What were the issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion? How did the British exploit the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists?
(b) What was the effect of the split between the two wings of the Congress on the National Movement?
(c) Why did the Assertive Nationalists adopt the policy of non-cooperation with the British Government? Name the assertive nationalist leader who organised akharas and lathi clubs. Why were these organised?
Bipin Chandra Pal was said to be 'One of the mightiest prophets of nationalism'. In this context:
(a) Mention his political aims.
(b) State his ideas on National Education.
(c) What remedies did he propose to eradicate India's poverty and unemployment?
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
It is a mistake to suppose that the Swadeshi movement requires sacrifice from poor people. We, the middle classes are the greatest offenders in this respect. The poor Kumbi villagers, require not many foreign articles at all, — probably none at all. It is we, the middle classes, who are the consumers of foreign goods; and since this Government is not going to stop the drain by imposing a protective duty it becomes imperatively necessary to adopt a measure by which we can do ourselves what the Government is bound to do and what the government ought to have done long ago. That one point was self-help and another point was determination; and the third sacrifice. You will find that all this included in this resolution, joined with the declaration made in the Presidential address that Swadeshism is a forced necessity in India owing to unnatural economic conditions in India, makes up a complete case for you. I trust that resolution of self-help adopted this year will form the basis of other resolutions of self-help in years to come.’
— Bal Gangadhar Tilak (At the 1906 session of Indian National Congress, where the resolution on Swadeshi was moved.).
(a) What was the main aim of Swadeshi as referred to in the extract? How does, it relate to 'boycott'?
(b) What are the reasons for focussing on Swadeshi?
(c) In what ways is the speaker of this extract the forerunner of Gandhiji?