Various factors led to the rise and growth of nationalism in India in the 19th century. In this context, explain the role of each of the following:

(a) Socio-religious reform movements.

(b) Repressive Colonial Policies.

(c) The Press

(a) Socio-religious reform movements:

1. The socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century were great pioneers of Indian nationalism.
2. The impact of Western education, which led to a rational, humanitarian and scientific approach to life, made the educated Indians realise the need to reform their religion and society.
3. They felt that the path to progress lay in the acceptance of the best of the East and the West.
4. The result was the birth of socio-religious reform movements touching almost every segment of Indian society.
5. In the social sphere, these movements worked for the abolition of caste system, child marriage, dowry system, purdah system, sati and infanticide.
6. They launched a crusade against social and legal inequalities.
7. In the religious sphere, these reform movements combated religious superstitions, attacked idolatry, polytheism and hereditary priesthood.
8. These movements fought for individual liberty and social equality.

(b) Repressive Colonial Policies:

1. The nature of the British Colonial rule over India helped the growth of national sentiment among the Indians.
2. The British had conquered India to promote their own interests and therefore, followed such repressive policies so as to make India subservient to the needs of Britain.
3. These policies became the major barrier to India's economic, social, cultural, intellectual and political development.
4. Some of these repressive policies, especially those followed by Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880 acted as a catalyst for the growth of nationalist movement in India.

(c) The Press

Large number of newspapers were started in the later half of the 19th century. Some of the prominent newspaper were the Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Bengali, The Tribune, The Pioneer, The Times of India, The Hindu and The Statesman in English. These newspapers played a significant role in developing a strong national sentiment among the Indians in the following manner:

1. It was through the press that the message of patriotism and modern liberal ideals of liberty, freedom, equality, home rule and independence, spread among the people.
2. The press carried on daily criticism of the unjust policies of the British Government in India and exposed the true nature of British rule in India.
3. It made possible the exchange of views among different social groups from different parts of the country and to organise political movements.
4. It made Indians aware of what was happening in the world. This awareness helped them to understand the political and social development of the outside world and shape their own policies and programmes.