1. Write a note on Swadeshi and Boycott Movement.
2. What were the achievements of moderates
Answers
Answer:
Introduction
Emergence of Nationalism:
It was only in the 19th Century that the concept of a national identity and national consciousness emerged.
The social, economic and political factors had inspired the people to define and achieve their national identity.
Causes of Growing Nationalism:
Recognising True British Intents: The British government was not conceding any of the important demands of the Indians.
The economic miseries of the 1890s further exposed the exploitative character of colonial rule.
Growth of Confidence: A feeling started gaining currency that the masses had to be involved in the battle against the colonial government to gain freedom.
Increasing Awareness: The spread of education led to an increased awareness among the masses about the British policies.
Rise in unemployment and underemployment and resultant poverty further aggravated the discontent among the radical nationalists.
International Influences: The Indian nationalists were inspired by the nationalist movements worldwide in Ireland, Japan, Egypt, Turkey, Persia and China which demolished the myths of European invincibility.
Conservative Policies of Lord Curzon: Administrative measures adopted during Lord Curzon's rule such as the Indian Universities Act, the Calcutta Corporation Act and primarily the Partition of Bengal led to nationwide protests.
The Swadeshi Movement; one of the most successful movements of the Pre-Gandhian era, was an outcome of the Partition of Bengal.
Swadeshi Movement
Background:
The movement had its roots in the anti-partition movement which was started to oppose Lord Curzon’s decision of dividing the province of Bengal.
The Anti-Partition Campaign was launched by Moderates to exert pressure on the government to prevent the unjust partition of Bengal from being implemented.
The petitions were written to the government, public meetings were held and the ideas were spread through newspapers such as Hitabadi, Sanjibani and Bengalee.
The partition led to protest meetings in Bengal under which the pledge to boycott foreign goods was first taken.
Swadeshi Movement Proclamation:
In August 1905, at Calcutta Townhall, a massive meeting was held and the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made.
The message was propagated to boycott goods such as Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt.
After the partition came into force, widespread opposition was shown by the people of Bengal by singing Vande Mataram.
Rabindranath Tagore also composed Amar Sonar Bangla.
People tied Rakhis on each other’s hands as a symbol of unity.
Although the movement was confined majorly to Bengal, it spread to a few different parts of India:
In Poona and Bombay under Bal Gangadhar Tilak
In Punjab under Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh
In Delhi under Syed Haider Raza
In Madras under Chidambaram Pillai.
Congres Reaction:
The Indian National Congress (INC) in a meeting in 1905 resolved to condemn the partition of Bengal and support the anti-partition and Swadeshi Movement.
The radical nationalists wanted the movement to be taken outside Bengal and go beyond just the boycott of foreign goods.
However, the moderates, dominating the Congress, were unwilling to go that far.
In the 1906 Congress Session held at Calcutta, the INC under the presidentship of Dadabhai Naoroji declared self-government or Swaraj as the goal of INC.
Rise of the Radical Nationalists:
The Extremists (or the Garam Dal) gained a dominant influence over the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal after 1905 till 1908; it is also known as the “Era of Passionate Nationalists”.
Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) were important leaders of this Radical group.
The reasons for the same were:
Failure of the Moderate-led Swadeshi movement.
Divisive tactics of the governments of East Bengal and Western Bengal.
Violent measures of the British to suppress the movement.
In addition to boycotting the Extremists gave a call for boycotting government schools and colleges, government service, courts, legislative councils, municipalities, government titles, etc.
Tilak gave the slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it”.
Participation of People:
Students: School and college students were the most active participants of the movement.
Student participation was visible in Bengal, Poona (Maharashtra), Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Madras and Salem (Tamil Nadu).
The police adopted a repressive attitude towards the students. The students found guilty were fined, expelled, beaten, arrested and disqualified for government jobs and scholarships.
Women: Traditionally home-centered women too took active part in the movement.
Stand of Muslims: Some of the muslims participated, however, most of the upper and middle class muslims stayed away.
They supported the partition on the belief that it would provide them a Muslim-majority East Bengal.