Question

Explain transportation and communication as an important factor for awakening the spirit of nationalism

​ᴡʜᴏ ɢᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴩᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇy ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴀꜱ ʙʀɪɴʟɪꜱᴛ ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

1. British Imperialism:

The British imperialism was the most important factor, which contributed to the rise of nationalism in India. It made the geographical unification of the country possible. Before the advent of the British, the people of the south were usually separate from the rest of India except for some short inter­vals. The British imperialism made the people to think as one nation.

2. Influence of the Western Civilization:

The establishment of British rule in India made closer relations with the Western world possible. Thus, the contacts with the European countries influenced the Indians immensely. The nineteenth century in Europe was the century of nationalism and liberalism. The Indians came to learn their lessons from the Europeans on both these ideologies.

 

Indians imbibed the ideas of nationalism and liberalism from the Western countries particularly from Germany, Italy, Greece, and Belgium. Besides this, the ideas of Western think­ers namely, Macaulay, Burke, Bentham, Mill, Spencer, Rousseau, and Voltaire also inspired and encouraged the ideas of independence among the Indians. Thus, there was a growth of political consciousness and awakening among the Indians.

3. Spread of English Language:

There was a rapid spread of English education in India especially after the revolt of 1857. The second half of the nineteenth century was a golden age of Liberalism in Europe, particularly England. The study of the political classics of English literature from Milton to Mill planted in the minds of English-educated Indians the seeds of liberalism in its two aspects—nationalism and democracy.

Thus with the spread of English education, the educated Indians gradually became politically conscious. The British introduced the English lan­guage in India with their own selfish interest in mind. At the beginning, they mainly needed Indian clerks educated in English in order to strengthen their rule in India. English education also facilitated people of different provinces to come close to one another. Thus, it helped in raising, national feelings, and political con­sciousness among the Indians.

4. Development of Means of Communication:

The introduction of telegraphs and railways in 1852 and 1853 respectively gave India swift means of transport and communication. The modern means of communication shattered the age-old iso­lation of Indian villages and the people of remote part had the opportunity of coming closer to each other. They also promoted trade and commerce and helped people of different regions to develop social and intellectual intercourse.

 

The new social and economic link removed their orthodox ways and made them conscious of their social disabilities. The introduction of uniform system of administration in India also brought a feeling of unity among Indians. Thus, the improvements in the means of transport and communication also quickened the pace of nationalist movement in the country.

5. The Contribution of the Scholars:

Several scholars and religious reformers played their role in furthering the cause of progress of the nationalist movement in the country. They emphasized the past glory and the rich heritage of India. The study and publication of the ancient Indian literature by the Asiatic Society of Bengal and the scholars such as Max Muller, Monier Williams, Colebrooke, Ranade, Hari Prasad Shastri, R.G. Bhandarkar, Rajendra Lai Mittra, etc., revealed to the people of India the splendor of the Sanskrit language and also inculcated among them a feeling of pride in their past and their faith in the future.

6. The Contribution of the Social and Religious Reformers:

Religious and social reformers, namely, Raja Rammohan Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen, Debendranath Tagore, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, Vivekananda, and others had left a tremendous influence on the people of India; and they also were responsible for inspiring the countrymen to treasure the ideals of freedom and liberty.

7. Influence of the Western Civilization:

The establishment of British rule in India made closer relations with the Western world possible. Thus, the contacts with the European countries influenced the Indians immensely. The nineteenth century in Europe was the century of nationalism and liberalism.

:

 

The Indians came to learn their lessons from the Europeans on both these ideologies. Indians imbibed the ideas of nationalism and liberalism from the Western countries, particularly from Germany, Italy, Greece, and Belgium. Besides this, the ideas of Western thinkers, namely, Macaulay, Burke, Bentham, Mill, Spencer, Rousseau, and Voltaire also inspired and encouraged the ideas of independence among the Indians. Thus, there was a growth of political consciousness and awakening among the Indians.