There were various reasons that lead to the emergence of a united political will in the country. Let us look at the major reasons:
Political unification of the country:
This started in 1958 when India came under the crown.
Lead to uniform administration all over the country.
Modern Infrastructure:
Modern infrastructure helped people communicate and meet each other. The major improvements were:
Railways
Telegraph
Postal System
Development of Roads
Motor Transport
Railways
Economic Integration:
Railways managed to connect major cities.
Reduced isolation of villages
Reduced self sufficiency of villages
Creation of national market. The British used the national market as a cheap source of raw material. And a market for manufactured goods.
Labour now had inter-regional base.
Socio-religious reform movements (19th century):
Evolving national consciousness.
Intellectual and cultural renaissance.
Defended indigenous culture.
Reformation and rational interpretation of Hinduism.
Social reformers propounded the spiritual unity of India.
Modern literature in vernacular:
This gave a patriotic flavour to literature
Ex- Anand Math (1882)
Let us look at how the mindset of the Indian intellectuals slowly changed towards the British Empire.
- In the early 19th century, Indian intellectuals were supportive of British rule and wanted the British to introduce science, technology and economy to India.
- After 1860, thinkers started questioning the economic policies of the British govt.
- Famines from 1866 to 1901 brought the realization of poverty and misery of people. These brought to the forefront the extent of India’s economic under development.
Economic Analysis:
Around this time, Indian economists started questioning the British policies. Here are some prominent economists and their views.
- Dadabhai Naoroji:
Attributed poverty to British policies
Drain of India’s wealth by artificially created export surplus
- R C Dutt
Examined the economic records from 1757
Saw there was a destruction of handicrafts
Current policies were hindrances to Indian industry.
Excessive land revenue
- Justice Mahadev Ranade
Need for modern industrial development.
- P V Joshi
- Subramaniya Iyer
- G K Gokhle
- P C Ray
The major conclusion from all the economists was that colonialism was the main obstacle for India’s economic growth.
Political Analysis:
Let us look at some of the major political reasons which lead to an awakening in the Indian political consciousness.
- The British Indian administration was all white and despotic
- In 1861, some Indians were elected to the Provincial and Supreme Councils. But their powers were greatly reduced.
- Local self govt proposed by Ripon was only for financial decentralization.
- During the 1880s, only 16 posts in the ICS were meant for Indians.
- There was not a single Indian above the rank of Brigadier
- Unemployment was at an all time low.
- British were only consolidating links with:
Princes
Zamindars
Rural and urban notables
Indian native rulers (numbering about 662)
- British encouraged communalism, casteism and regionalism.
- Abandoned all attempts at social reform.
- Allied with backward religious, cultural and social forces.
