04 November 2022

MAINS QUESTIONS

Q1. Indian nationalism was civic in nature, plural, and non-coercive. It wasn’t based on race or religion. Analyse. (250 words)

 Paper & Topic: GS I – National Movement

Introduction:

• An extensive and protracted fight was waged by the Indian Nationalist Movement against British imperialism. Nationalism served as both the primary driver of this conflict and its entry point.
• Within the context of the Indian Nationalist Movement, Indian nationalism served as a vital symbol for both anti-imperialism and national unification. A nationalist is someone who upholds and supports these two ideas, to put it another way. Individuals, teams, movements, and organisations all fall under this category.

Body:

• The formation and expansion of Indian nationalism through the establishment of a new institution, new opportunities, and a new system of resource allocation was the British government’s response to the global growth of nationalism’s ideas inspired by the French Revolution.

The causes of contemporary nationalism’s growth during the British era:

• Bengal was divided politically and administratively in 1905 under the direction of British viceroy Lord Curzon.
• Eventually, the majority of India’s regions were administratively united and placed under a single governing authority (the British rule). establishing a united political and legal system.
• The development of roads and canals, as well as telegraphs, trains, and postal services, all aided in the spread of communication and transportation. All of these improved ties among Indians and allowed for the organisation of the national movement on an all-India basis.
• English Language and Western Education: The English language had a big impact on how nationalism developed in the country. The English-educated Indians who headed the national movement were responsible for the theory and governance of Indian nationalism. Western education planted the seeds of nationalism and helped the concepts of liberty, equality, freedom, and nationalism spread throughout the world.
• In order to promote a feeling of national identity in India, the press produced publications in both regional and English.
• Theosophical Society, Brahmo Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Arya Samaj, and other organisations headed by its founders encouraged awe and patriotism for the country in the nineteenth century.
• British economic exploitation: The anti-British feeling was significantly influenced by the British government’s economic strategy in India. The English ruthlessly decimated the native Indian economy and industry. Thus, British economic exploitation had a significant role in the formation of Indian nationalism.
• Revolt of 1857: The Revolt of 1857 left the British and Indians with a deep-seated resentment and mistrust. The English were responsible for the concept of white supremacy. Both India as a nation and individual Indians were subjected to insults, humiliation, and treatment with contempt.
• Administration of Lytton: Lord Lytton organised the Delhi Durbar at a time when the majority of India was famished. He passed the Vernacular Press Act, which limited the freedom of the Indian Press. His Arms Act was a device for limiting Indians’ access to arms. The effect of all of these activities was that the Indians were quite dissatisfied.
• The Ilbert Bill was first presented to the Central Legislature by the Viceroyalty of Lord Ripon. The Bill sought to eradicate racial prejudice against judges of European and Indian descent. Indian expatriate Britons opposed this Bill. The Bill was ultimately altered.
• Western philosophy and education were essential in the formation of Indian political thinking since it incorporates modern western ideals. The British gave modern education to a very tiny proportion of the elite and middle classes in order to create a class that was “Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste” and could act as a conduit between the government and the general populace.
• Because the English felt they were inherently superior to the Indians, there existed racial animosity. The Indians were never anxious to be given more senior roles, despite the fact that they were competent and bright. The maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Service Examination in England was 21.
• Due to its many characteristics, Indian nationalism was successful and distinctive.
• Each person is viewed as the centre of the universe and a divine creation according to the cosmic vision, which forms the basis of Indian culture. As a result, the community supports uniqueness and the diversity of opinions.
• Harmony: Indian philosophy and culture hold that a society should be naturally tranquil and well-run.
• Tolerance: India’s liberal culture allows for the peaceful coexistence of all religions, castes, communities, etc. Indian society had respect for the Shaka, Huna, Scythians, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. The rule of emperors like Ashoka and Akbar allowed for the peaceful coexistence of many different religions.
• India’s traditional way of life is busy and dependable. Traditional institutions including religion, epics, literature, philosophy, and traditions are still in use today despite repeated invasions, changes to governing bodies, and changes to legislation.
• The capacity to alter behaviour in response to the conditions present at a particular time, place, or era is referred to as adaptability. Indian society has shown itself to be adaptable and evolves as necessary.
• Social stratification systems were formed by Indian culture, which historically helped immigrants integrate but also fostered prejudice and discrimination.
• Despite its inherent diversity, Indian culture promotes unity in diversity, which is reflected in the nation’s constitutional objectives and guiding values.

Conclusion:

• The Indians’ recent awakening was significantly influenced by the British occupation. Under the British administration, Indians gained more knowledge, which fueled nationalist sentiment.

Q2. Despite the fact that the Ghadar movement’s stated objectives were not achieved, it was not a failure. Critically evaluate (250 words)

 Paper & Topic: GS I – National Movement

Introduction:

• In a foreign nation in 1914, people like Lal Hardayal, Sohan Singh, Kartar Singh, and others created the Ghadar movement. The first spark for everything came from protests about the absence of British support and laws in the host nation that discriminated against immigrants from India. Military strife was ultimately the cause of nationalism. Despite falling short of its stated objectives, Ghadarites later helped to establish Punjab’s secular national peasant movement.

Body:

The Ghadar movement failed to achieve its objectives:

• They vastly underestimated the amount of planning needed before an armed revolution could begin, including the organisational, financial, and ideological prerequisites.
• They miscalculated India’s capacity to terminate the Ghadar agitation in light of British organisational and military power.
• The militants’ fervour and zeal for the cause kept it alive more than any strong organisation could.
• Constant leadership also produced a leadership dilemma. The Ghadarites were left without a leader after Lala Hardayal fled. After a long search they found Ras Bihari Bose as their leader in India.

But it can’t just be written off as a failure:

• The concept of nationalism, economic critique, the impact of revolutionary nationalism, and the expansion of nationalism abroad were all strongly affected by the Ghadar movement.
• In order to oppose and battle the British suzerains, it united the Indian immigrants. The fact that the Ghadar tabloid was issued to Indians living in nations other than the United States and Canada, such as the Philippines, Singapore, and Fiji, acted as a unifying force.
• Even after the Swadeshi movement, when it was not particularly politically active, Congress backed the cause for freedom. The Ghadar movement thus contributed to preserving the flame of nationalism and patriotism.
• Through a thorough propaganda campaign, the nationalist Ghadar weekly awoke Indians and educated them about colonialism.
• The movement fostered a secular mindset due to the fact that its founders, who hailed from various theological traditions, worked well together. Similar to how Ras Bihari Bose was a Bengali and Lala Har Dayal was a Hindu, Barkatullah was a Muslim.
• By incorporating people from different backgrounds, such as labourers, farmers, and others, leaders aimed to give it a democratic and egalitarian perspective. Making India a republic with its own government was their main objective.

Conclusion:

• The accomplishment of a movement’s goals will not always determine its success or failure. The independence struggle was impacted by the emergence of nationalism, the testing of cutting-edge strategies, secularism, egalitarianism, and the time-bound execution of operations, which resulted in more fights.