Summary

Summary - Rise of Nationalism in India | History

The land and revenue reforms implemented by the East India Company since late eighteenth century had its impact on the agrarian conditions in India.

The growth of heavy machine industries in Britain allowed East India Company to export raw materials from India to Britain and take back the finished products – a process that led to the decline of Indian handicrafts, making the artisans go jobless.

Landless labourers and jobless artisans emigrating to Empire colonies to escape starvation deaths.

The unintended result of Western education introduced by the British was the emergence of a new class of educated Indians who strove for the reforms of Indian society.

Factors like the bitter memories of 1857, policy of racial discrimination, repressive measures against dissension contributed to the growth of nationalism.

Modern intelligentsia formed political organisation like Madras Native Association (1852), Madras Mahajana Sabha (1884) and Indian National Congress (1885) to voice their opinions and grievances.

An important role of these leaders was to educate the common mass about the exploitative colonial rule and its impact on their day to day life. Drain of wealth theory enunciated by Dadabhai Naoroji exposed the British loot of the resources of India.