ಭಾರತದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆಯ ಉಗಮ ಮತ್ತು ಮಂದಗಾಮಿಗಳ ಯುಗ
Early
Nationalists or Moderates
Indian National Congress
Moderates
W.C. Banerjee, Rash Behari Ghosh, Surendranath Banerjee, R.
C. Dutt, Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta, Justice
M.G.Ranade, P. R. Naidu, S. Subramanian Iyer, Ananda Charlu, Madan Mohan
Malaviya, A.O. Hume, William Wedderburn
Founder:- A.O. Hume[2]
Founded:- 1885
Ideology:- Regain Self-government without violation
The Early Nationalists, also known as the Moderates, were a group of political leaders in India active between 1885 and 1907. Their
emergence marked the beginning of the organised national movement in India.
Some of the important moderate leaders were Pherozeshah Mehta and Dadabhai
Naoroji. With members of the group drawn from educated middle-class
professionals including lawyers, teachers and government officials, many of
them were educated in England. They are known as "Early Nationalists"
because they believed in demanding reforms while adopting constitutional and
peaceful means to achieve their aims.[6][7] The Early Nationalists had full
faith in the British sense of justice, fair play, honesty, and integrity while
they believed that British rule was a boon for India. The Early Nationalists
were staunch believers in open-minded and moderate politics.
Origins of the name "Moderates":-
Focusing on demands for reform, the Early Nationalists
adopted a constitutional and peaceful approach to achieve their objectives.
They remained friendly towards the British rulers but believed that Indians
should have a proper and legitimate role in the government of the country.
Although they asked for constitutional and other reforms within the framework
of British rule, they had full faith in that nation's sense of justice and fair
play. They further believed that continuation of the British connection
with India was in the interests of both countries. At an early stage, the
nationalists considered their association with England an advantage. British
rule had done much good by removing various cultural anomalies including the
caste system and the abolition of the practice of sati or "widow
sacrifice" that had previously pervaded Indian society. Influenced by
western thought, culture, education, literature and history, the demands of the
early nationalists were not considered extreme but of a relatively moderate
nature.
Methodology:- The Early Nationalists believed in patience and conciliation rather than confrontation, adopting orderly:- progress and constitutional means to realise their aims. To educate the people, to arouse political consciousness, and to create powerful public opinion in favour of their demands they organised annual sessions. Processions and meetings were held, speeches delivered and discussions held on various economic, social and political questions. Following these discussions, resolutions were adopted. They also drafted petitions and memorandums before submitting them to the government. The Early Nationalists wanted to convey their feelings to the government, so as to gradually bring the authorities around to their viewpoint. To influence the British government and to enlighten the British public and its political leaders, the Early Nationalists sent deputations of leading Indian leaders to England. In 1889, a British Committee of the Indian National Congress was founded and followed by a journal called "India" started by the Committee in 1890.
Achievements:- In spite of their role:- as the most progressive force of the time, the Early Nationalists received widespread criticism over their lack of success. They were treated with contempt by their British rulers and their demands were not fulfilled.
In spite of such criticism, the Early Nationalists did
achieve some of their goals. They created a national awakening among the people
that made Indians conscious of the bonds of common political, economic, and
cultural interests that united them. They also trained people in politics by
popularising the ideas of democracy, civil liberties, secularism and
nationalism. The Early Nationalists did pioneering work by exposing the true
nature of British rule in India. They made the people realise the economic
content and character of British imperialism. In doing so, they weakened the
foundations of British rule in India. Their political and economic programmes
established the idea that India must be ruled in the interest of the Indians.
The efforts of the Early Nationalists also led to the implementation of various
social reforms such as the appointment of a Public Service Commission. A
resolution of the House of Commons (1893) allowing for simultaneous examination
for the Indian Civil Service in London and India. Appointment of the Welby
Commission on Indian Expenditure (1895). They also passed The Indian Councils
Act of 1892. These achievements served as the basis for nationalist movements
in later years by extremist leaders.
Wishes to complete:-
The Early Nationalists wanted certain political and economic
reforms with the view to unify the people of India.
Constitutional reforms:-
Believing that India should eventually move towards
democratic self-government, the Early Nationalists wanted a larger share in the
governing of India. They did not seek immediate attainment of their goal as
they feared that the government would suppress their activities. Instead they
aimed at winning freedom through a gradual process.
Their constitutional demands were:
1. Abolition of the India Council Act.
2. Expansion of the legislative council and Legislative
Assemblies, both Central and Provincial.
3. Increase in the membership of Indians by including some
members elected by local bodies like chambers of commerce, universities, etc.
in these councils and by giving greater powers to them. They demanded Indian
control over the public purse and raised the slogan "No taxation without
representation".
4. By the beginning of the 20th century, they demanded for
Swaraj (self-rule) within the British Empire similar to the self-governing
colonies in Canada and Australia.
5. Adequate representation of Indians in the executive
council of the Viceroy and those of the governors.
6. Reformation and expansion of the legislative councils
created by the act of 1861. They demanded an increase in the membership of
these councils and all legislative and financial matters including the Budget
should be submitted to these councils.
7. The members of the legislative councils to be directly
elected by the people of India.
8. A complete separation of the executive and judicial
branches of administration.
9. Complete self government modelled on self governing
British colonies like Australia and Canada.
Administrative reforms:-
The Moderates made the following demands in the
administrative sphere:
1. Demand for simultaneous Indian Civil Service examinations
in England and India.
2. Complete separation of the executive and the judiciary.
They made this demand to protect Indians from arbitrary acts by the police and
the bureaucracy.
3. Increase in the powers of the municipal bodies and
reduction of official control over them.
4. Repeal of the Arms Act and License Act.
5. Wider employment of Indians in the higher grades of
administrative services.
6. Spread of primary education among the masses.
7. Improvement of the police system to make it honest,
efficient and popular.
Defense of civil rights:-
The Early Nationalists defended civil rights whenever the
British government tried to curtail them. Their struggle for freedom became an
integral part of the national movement from the very beginning. In 1897, Tilak
and many other leaders were arrested and tried for making provocative
speeches. The Early Nationalists demanded the Abolition of the
Preventive Detention Act and restoration of individual liberties and right to
assemble and to form associations. They also wanted the Removal of the
restrictions imposed by the British Government on the freedom of speech, and
the freedom of the press.
Criticism:-
The methods used by the Early Nationalists of passing
resolutions and sending petitions were seen as inadequate by critics who argued
that they depended on the generosity of the British instead of relying on their
own strength and challenging the imperialist might. They failed to realise that
British and Indian interests clashed with each other and that Britain was using
India's resources to increase its wealth. The Early Nationalists failed
to draw the masses into the mainstream of the national movement such that their
area of influence remained limited to urban educated Indians. In particular,
their leadership comprised only members of professional groups such as
lawyers, doctors, journalists and teachers.
British Government's attitude:-
In the beginning, the British Government looked upon the
actions of the Early Nationalists favorably, and expressed no animosity
towards them. Furthermore, a few government officials attended the first
session of the Early Nationalists and took part in its deliberations. The
Nationalists were invited to a garden party held by the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin
in Calcutta in 1886 and another hosted by the Governor of Chennai in 1887. Official attitudes soon changed; Lord Dufferin tried to divert the National
Movement by suggesting to Hume that the Early Nationalists should devote
themselves to social rather than political affairs. However, rather than
emerging as a tool in the hands of the authorities, the Early Nationalists
gradually became the focus of Indian nationalism.
In 1887, Dufferin attacked the Early Nationalists in a speech
and ridiculed it as representing only a microscopic minority of the people.
British officials criticised the Nationalists and branded its leader as
"disloyal babus" and "violent villains".
In 1890, Government employees were forbidden to participate
in deliberations with the Early Nationalists or attend their meetings.
Realising that the growing unity of the Indians posed a major threat to their
rule, the British pushed their policy of divide and rule further. They
encouraged Sayyid Ahmed Khan, Raja Shiva Prasad of Benaras (now Varanasi), and
other pro-British individuals to start an anti-Early Nationalist movement. They
sowed seeds of communalism between the Hindus and the Muslims on the one hand
and between the Indian masses and their leaders on the other. They followed a
policy of granting minor concessions to put down the growth of nationalism.
However, their policy of repression and hostility only served to make the Early
Nationalists more powerful.
Failure:-
Some of the younger elements within the Indian National
Congress were dissatisfied with the achievements of the Early Nationalists and
vociferous critics of the methods of peaceful constitutional agitation that
they promulgated. Young members advocated the adoption of European
revolutionary methods to counter British imperialism while mainstream Early
Nationalists remained loyal to the crown, with their desire to regain
self-government lacking conviction. The Early Nationalists failed to attain
their objectives, giving rise to another group of leaders known as Assertive or
Extremist Nationalists. The most prominent leaders of the Assertive
Nationalists were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal,
who are known collectively as the Lal-Bal-Pal trio.[18]
Prominent leaders who fought for independence:-
Surendranath Banerjee
To create an all-India political organisation, Banerjee
convened the Indian National Conference in 1883 at Kolkata. Banerjee merged the
Indian National Conference with the Indian National Congress in 1886 as both
organisations had similar objectives. He presided over two sessions of the
Congress in 1895 and 1902.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale, known as "The Political Guru of
Gandhi" as he was the one who guided Mahatma Gandhi to travel around India
in order to fight against the British, was one of the social and political
leaders during the Indian Independence Movement against the British Empire in
India. Gokhale was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and founder
of the Servants of India Society. Through the Society as well as the Congress
and other legislative bodies he served in, Gokhale campaigned for Indian
self-rule and also social reform. He was the leader of the moderate faction of
the Congress party that advocated reforms by working with existing government
institutions.
A. O. Hume:-
While the Early Nationalists moved towards the formation of
an all-India political body, Englishman A. O. Hume, a retiree from the Indian
Civil Service, saw the need for an organisation that would draw the
government's attention to current administrative drawbacks and suggest the
means to rectify them. In 1884 Hume, in consultation with the Indian leaders,
laid the foundations of Indian National Union but it was postponed due to an
outbreak of plague in Pune. Later on, at the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji,
the name was changed to "Indian National Congress" and the foundation
of the organisation laid on 28 December 1885.
Dadabhai Naoroji:-
Dadabhai Naoroji in 1892.
Dadabhai Naoroji, popularly known as the "Grand Old Man
of India", took an active part in the foundation of the Indian
National Congress and was elected its President thrice, in 1886, 1893 and after
the Moderate phase in 1906. He spent a major part of his life in
Britain. He founded the London Indian Society which he used to create the
awareness among the British people about the plight of the Indians. His book
"Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" pointed out how India was
exploited and economically drained by the British Government.
Sessions:-
Year of session - Session Place - Name of the president
1885 1st Mumbai W. C. Banerjee[21]
1886 2nd Kolkata Dadabhai Naoroji[19]
1887 3rd Chennai Justice Badruddin Tyabji[22]
1888 4th Allahabad George Yule[22]
1889 5th Mumbai Sir William Wedderburn[23]
1890 6th Kolkata Mr. Pherozeshah Mehta[24]
1891 7th Nagpur P Ananda Charlu[25]
1892 8th Allahabad W. C. Banerjee
1893 9th Lahore Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji
1894 10th Chennai Alfred Webb[26]
1895 11th Poona Surendranath Banerjee[27]
1896 12th Kolkata Rahmatullah Sayani[28]
1897 13th Amraoti M. C. Shankaran Nair[29]
1898 14th Chennai A. M. Bose[30]
1899 15th Lucknow Romesh Chunder Dutt
1900 16th Lahore N. G. Chandarverkar[31]
1901 17th Kolkata D. E. Wacha[citation needed]
1902 18th Ahmedabad Surendranath Banerjee
1903 19th Chennai Lalmohan Ghosh
1904 20th Mumbai Sir Henry Cotton
1905 21st Banaras Gopal Krishna Gokhale[15]
1906 22nd Kolkata Dadabhai Naoroji
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