Road to Indian Independence
1. INTRODUCTION
End of traditional leadership :- defeat of Rani Laxmi bai, and bahadur shah zafar-2nd sent to Burma.
Educated middle class :- uninvolved, why?? because, they were less in quantity and mostly western educated, which led them belief in British empire.
2. RISE of NATIONALISM
ACT OF 1858
Crown rule begins.
unitary and highly centralized administration.
Governor-general => viceroy {which was lord canning}.
Secretary of state {lord stanley} + council of India {15 member}.
#. No role to Indians affected educated middle class & belief in British empire.
#. ''if not the power but prestige increased'' :- Bipin Chandra
INDIANS IN CIVIL SERVICES
1853 : through competitive exams, selection in civil services would possible but 1st indian to be selected in indian civil services was SURENDRANATH BANERJEE in 1864.
Q:- why in 1864 ? when it was started in 1853. why it took 11 years ?
Ans:- exam was conducted only in England; Latin language was compulsory; horse-riding was compulsory; age below 19.
#. This all shows, that it's only possible for upper class. hence, it's affected middle educated class who still has faith in British empire.
INDIAN COUNCIL ACT 1861
Introduced a policy of association of Indians in legislation as non-official members which will serve in Executive council of viceroy which was enlarged by 6 to 12 members composed of half non-official members for legislation.
but, they could not criticize the acts of administration.
viceroy would have veto for all the bills.
portfolio system which gave power to viceroy to issue ordinance in case of emergency.
similar provision for legislative council in the provinces, but they would have to take prior sanction of governor general on many matters.
#. Act of 1858 + council act of 1881 => middle class frustrated => Rise of Indian nationalism.
it's became an domestic challenge for Britishers.
3. DUAL CHALLENGES for BRITISH GOVT.
DOMESTIC
Educated middle class.
Rise of nationalism.
EXTERNAL
Germany, Italy, Japan [sometime Russia ] war pressure on Britain.
#. To stop external pressure groups to attack 'or' intervention on power house of Britain{ INDIA }, Britain appointed Lord lytton as viceroy of India{1876-1880}. which later became the biggest fault of Britishers.
4. LYTTON steps which helps in ''organize nationalism''
The great famine of 1876 was affecting Bombay, Madras, Mysore, Hyderabad, Central India & Punjab. but on the other hand, Delhi darbar begin to welcome the 'QUEEN' in India.
Later, Appointment of famine commission under the presidency of ''Richard strachery'' .
VERNACULAR PRESS ACT, 1878
It was passed in 1878, which banned local language newspaper printing.
Q:- why banned ?
Ans:- Local language shows Indian emotions, anger & condition to the world and Indian local citizens to generate nationalism at national level.
THE ARMS ACT, 1878
Carrying arm without license is banned only for Indians. To tackle extremist nationalism.
STATUTORY CIVIL SERVICES
Shortcut for lower post in civil services, which was unacceptable by educated class.
#. Lytton's administration outcome led Indians to associate with each other & organize nationalism took place.
5. IDEA of CONGRESS
Administration of Lord Ripon :- He was appointed viceroy of India{1880-1884} and his priority was to prevent another 1857 Revolt and strengthen the British empire in India. Also known as ''Father of local-self governance''.
why RIPON was liberal ??
Repeal of the vernacular act 1882, which gave opportunity to Indians to speak.
#.hidden agenda:- but also help govt. to predict the mood of Indian people to avoid uprising of nationalism.
1st factory act 1881, which banned children below the age of 7 in factories. it affect production because 7-12 years children had limited working hours.
#. hidden agenda:- low work & production will increase the cost and make British product more competitive in the international market.
Hunter commission on education{1882-83}, it was to examine the execution of wood's dispatch{1854}. Reforms under it :- strengthen of primary education, focus on background areas to prepare Indians for subordinate posts, It give primary education responsibility to district boards.
Resolution on Local Self-governance , to decentralize the governance to make Indians happy & satisfy with jobs.
ILBERT BILL CONTROVERSY & It's contribution in ORGANINSE NATIONALISM
According to the system of law, an ''European'' could be trialed only by a ''European judge or a magistrate''.
Impact on Indians:- The disqualification was unjust and it was sought to cast a needless discredit and dishonor upon the Indian born members of the judiciary.
why it's controversial ?
C.P. ILLBERT, a law member, introduced a bill in 1883, to abolish this discrimination with Indians in judiciary.
Europeans reaction :- Europeans opposed this bill strongly. they even raised a fund of 1,50,000 rupees and established an organization called ''defense association''.
They also suggested that it was better to end the English rule in India than to allow the English to be subjected to the Indian judges & magistrate.
The press in England also joined this issue.
What message Indian's got ?
Unity with propaganda and work with organization. Collect the funds and put press in our side will help to defeat big powers.
Outcome of message ?
Indian national Congress{I.N.C} established in 1885, but, I.N.C was not 1st organization. Before I.N.C, there were some small groups were made on regional level.
6. PRE-CONGRESS Organizations
1) BANGABHASA PRAKASIKA SABHA
It was started by associates of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1836. He was one of the 1st politically active leader in modern sense. he started agitations for demands like: appointments of Indian to higher govt. offices; freedom of press; prevent zamindari oppressions etc.
2) ZAMINDARI ASSOCIATION {BENGAL LANDHOLDER'S SOCIETY}
It was formed in 1836 by 'PRASANNA KUMAR TAGORE'' & ''RADHAKANT DEB''. It's main purpose was to safeguard the interests of landlords. They used constitutional methods of agitation to fulfill their demands.
3) BRITISH INDIA ASSOCIATION
Bengal landholders society & British India society merged together to form British India Association in 1851.Post merger, they used to submit petitions for grievance of common people as well.
they had submitted a petition to British parliament with suggestion for the new charter law of the company. Suggestions was: A separate legislative council of popular nature{election medium}; abolition of stamp, salt and abkari duties; reducing the salaries of British officers at higher post etc.
Post 1857 revolt, the organization supported the British in giving harsh punishments to rebels of 1857.
4) INDIAN LEAGUE
In 1875, by noted journalist ''SISIR KUMAR GHOSE'' had started the ''INDINA LAEGUE'' in Calcutta.
Main aim: develop the feeling of nationalism among the common people.
5) EAST INDIA ASSOCIATION
Started by ''DADA BHAI NAIROJI'' in London in 1867. He was ''elected M.P'' of British parliament.
Main aim: Make the people of U.K aware about the conditions of Indians & generate a popular support among the British people for Indian welfare.
This association is also called the ''predecessor to the I.N.C''.
In 1866, the ''ethological society of London'' tried to prove Asian's were inferior to Europeans. East India association's work also targeted to challenge this notion.
Association had opened branches in Bombay, Madras & Calcutta in 1869.
6) INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALCUTTA {INDIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION}
''Indian league'' was superseded by the young Bengali nationalists like ''Anand Mohan Bose''& ''Surendra Nath Banerjee'' and Indian association of Calcutta was formed in 1876.
The demand of this organization were nationalist in nature, which makes it one of the most important pre-congress nationalist association.
Action:- Reforming of civil service examination, generating and unifying a public opinion on political issues of national importance. they opened branches in different cities to expand it's membership among the masses.
Reaction:- Surendra Nath Banerjee was the 1st Indian to gain all India popularity when he travelled across India to gain support for the demands of the association.
Reason behind it's formation ?
British India association's pro landlord policies & conservative outlook was a source of discontent among young Bengali's, which led to the formation of this organization.
Thus, this organization was later merged with the I.N.C in 1886.