Indian National Movements (1885 – 1905) & Moderate Nationalism

The history of the Indian National Movement can be studied in 3 important phases

• The phase of moderate nationalism (1885-1905) when the Congress continued to be loyal to the British crown.
• The years 1906-1916 which witnessed Swadeshi Movement, raise of militant nationalism (Extremism) and the Home Rule Movement.
• The period from 1917 to 1947 known as the Gandhian era.

Major Causes of Indian National Movements (1885 – 1905)

The Indian National Congress (1885)

• Formed during the period of Governor General Lord Dufferin
• Founded by A O Hume
• Its 1^st session was held at Bombay in 1885 under the presidency of W C Banerjee
• Discussed the problems of all the Indians irrespective of their religion, caste, language and regions
• Thus, INC from the start was an all-India secular movement
• 2^nd session was held in Calcutta in 1886 and the 3^rd in Madras in 1887

Moderate Nationalism

Main Demands of Moderates

• Expansion and reform of legislative councils.
• Greater opportunities for Indians in higher posts by holding the ICS examination simultaneously in England and in India.
• Separation of the judiciary from the executive.
• More powers for the local bodies.
• Reduction of land revenue and protection of peasants from unjust landlords.
• Abolition of salt tax and sugar duty
• Freedom of speech and expression and freedom to form associations.
• Reduction of spending on army.

Methods of Moderates

• Moderates had total faith in the British sense of justice and looked to England for inspiration and guidance (Loyal to British)
• Moderates used petitions, resolutions, meetings, leaflets and pamphlets, memorandum and delegations to present their demands.
• Confined their political activities to the educated classes only.
• Their main aim was to attain political rights and self-government stage by stage.

Only demand of the Congress granted by the British was the expansion of the legislative councils by the Indian Councils Act of 1892.

Indian Councils Act of 1892

• The Indian Councils Act of 1892 was the first achievement of the Indian National Congress.
• It had increased the number of “additional members” in the Central Legislative Council e. from 10-16 from 6-12
• It had also increased the proportion of non-officials – 6 officials and 10 non-officials
• The members were allowed to discuss the budget and criticize the financial policy of the government.
• The budget could not be voted upon, nor could any amendments be made to it.
• In the provinces also the number of additional members was increased with additional powers