Chapter - Rerview:
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In the period between 1850 and 1880, many political organizations were made. These organizations had numerous well-educated people who knew the pain of being controlled. Some of these renowned political organizations of that period were Indian National Congress, Poona Sarvajanik sabha, Madras Mahajan Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association and many others.
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The Arms Act was made in the year 1878.
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The infamous Vernacular Press Act was made by Lord Lytton and it was passed in the year 1878 to suppress the Indian Press who criticised the government & its various actions.
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Efforts of British Raj to introduce another infamous act was called as Ilbert Bill also led to the development of the national movement in the country. The British Govt. was compelled to withdraw the bill amidst mass protest.
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Formation of the Indian National Congress brought about a very systematic way to move against the British Raj. Some of the founding members of Indian National Congress were Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Bannerjee, R.C. Dutt etc.
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The Primary Demands of INC were as follows-
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According to historians, Congress was considered to be ‘moderate’ in its approach and methods. Their demands included the following:
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The primary demand of INC (Indian National Congress) was to make the Legislative Councils more representative to indians and give them more power.
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Indians should also be designated to higher ranks in government services. In earlier periods of time, civil service examinations were only held in London and not in india. INC claimed that the said examination should be held in India as well.
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The administration should be Indianised.
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The judiciary must also be separated from the executive.
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Freedom of speech & repeal of the Arms Act were the other demands of Congress.
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In the area of economy, curtailment of revenue, Reduction of military expenditure and more funds to irrigation were basic demands.
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Resolutions were also passed in the annual meeting of INC regarding the Salt Tax, Handling of Indian labourers abroad and the poor condition of the forest dwellers.
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The criticism of Britishers was carried out through speeches of the political leaders of INC and the representatives of INC had reached in every nuke and corner of the country to drum up public opinion.
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The method of political bargaining of the INC was criticised by some leaders after the year 1890. Major opponents of INC were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, B.C. Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and others. More radical objectives & methods were supported by them.
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The British Govt. also played a divide and rule policy to neutralize the Bengali leaders by partitioning Bengal into two parts. It was opposed by the leaders of INC. The movement against the partition of Bengal is called as the Swadeshi Movement. The Swadeshi Movement is of immense historical significance.
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The Swadeshi Movement also brought the idea of boycotting the British products by promoting the ideas of self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education etc. An idea of revolutionary violence was then realized to give an end to British rule in India.
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Congress was later split in the year 1907 by opposing the idea of a boycott. INC was separated into two parts namely Moderates and Extremists.
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INC was reunited then in 1915 session and signed the famous Lucknow Pact with the Muslim League in the year 1916.
