With reference to the growth of Nationalism:
(a) Mention two associations which served as the forerunners (precursors) of the Indian National Congress. Who were the founders of the two associations?
(b) Differentiate between the methods adopted by the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists.
(c) State two contributions each of Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai.

Question

KnowledgeBoat · Accepted Answer

(a) Two associations which served as the forerunners (precursors) of the Indian National Congress were-

East India Association — It was founded at London in 1866 by Dadabhai Naoroji.
Indian National Conference — It was founded at Kolkata in 1883 by Surendranath Banerjea.

(b) The difference between the methods adopted by the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists are as follows-

Early Nationalists	Assertive Nationalists
The Early Nationalists wanted to achieve self-government and they strove for autonomy within the Empire and not for absolute independence.	The Assertive Nationalists aimed at nothing short of Swaraj as it existed in the United Kingdom.
They believed in constitutional methods and worked within the framework of the law.	They were assertive in their approach.
They held good positions under the British government.	They denounced British rule and defied it.
They had faith in the British sense of justice and fair play.	They rejected British rule and held it responsible for poverty of the Indian people.
They received their support from the intelligentsia.	They drew their support from the masses.
They were inspired by the ideas of western philosophers.	They drew their inspiration from India's past.

(c) Two contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale are-

Servants of India Society — He set up the Servants of India Society in 1905 to train national leaders who would dedicate themselves to the service fo India.
Persuaded the British for reforms — He criticised the government on issues such as incurring huge expenditure on the British army, adopting the policy of racial discrimination and imposing production tax on cotton.

Two contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai are-

An Educationist and a Forceful Writer — Lala Lajpat Rai was a prolific writer. When he was in the USA, he started a monthly magazine 'Young India' to spread the message of the right of India to attain Swaraj. His publications included: The Call to Young India, England's Debt to India and The Political Future of India.
A Social Reformer — He was instrumental in the expansion of D.A.V. College at Lahore in 1886. He opened orphanages, hospitals and schools. He set up Servants of the Peoples Society for the welfare of the downtrodden and outcastes.

History & Civics