The period from 1885 to 1905 is called as the liberalist period of the Congress. During this period, the outlook of Indian leaders was liberal. They forwarded their demands before the British government in a constitutional form. They forwarded their demands in the form of request, reminders, letters etc. infront of the British government. Their objective was to bring the Indian people in the wave of nationalistic politics in large numbers.
They wished to educate the Indians pacifically and bring awareness. They believed that at both places, Britain and India, they had been successful in gaining the support of British rulers by interpreting, the demands of Indian people as judicious and they could achieve justice. In this context, the Congress sent various groups of representatives. These groups of representatives told about the relevance of the demands of Indians to the British Parliament and British citizens.
Working procedure of liberalists:
The working procedure of liberalists was following:
1. During this period, the Congress did not adopt the policy of opposing the government. The liberal leaders of this period were of the view that it was not practical to directly confront the British government at that time. Dada Bhai Nauroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Ferozshah Mehta, Dinesh Wacha etc. were the prominent liberal leaders of the Congress.
2. The liberalists strongly opposed the economic aspect of British imperialism and created economic awareness amongst Indians. They exposed economic exploitation done by the British in agriculture, trade, industry and other sectors. They interpreted that the cause of economic backwardness and poverty of India was economic exploitation of India being done by the British.
3. The liberalists demanded that the national economic policy should not be formed on the basis of the interests of England, rather it should be formed on the basis of the interests of India.
4. They started a movement against the colonial imperialistic economio policy. They demanded for industrialization of India in modern form, protection of Indian industries, reduction in land revenue, spread of irrigation facilities etc. Organizing industrial exhibitions became a part of programmes of the Congress.
5. The liberalists raised many demands regarding administrative reforms. Among these demands, appointment of Indians in public services, Indianisation of public servies, separation of working of executive and judiciary, removal of Arms Act, reduction in defence expenditure etc. were the major ones.
6. During this period, the liberalists continued to raise demand of introducing reforms in legislative councils in a constitutional form. The British government passed the Act of 1892 CE. Through this act, the number of Indian members was increased in central and provincial legislative councils.
Arrangement was made for a type of indirect election system. The members were granted the right of raising questions and performing debates on the budget. The Indians were not satisfied with the act of 1892 and they demanded for grant of more rights.
7. The liberalists remained active for the protection of various rights of the citizens such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression and opinion, freedom to form organizations, etc. During this period, the Congress did not achieve much success.
However, they created awareness among the Indians towards common political, economic and cultural interests. They trained the public for political jobs. They carried the thoughts of democracy, freedom of citizens and nationalism to the citizens.
Policy of British government towards the Congress: In 1885 CE, Viceroy Dufferin organized a reception in the honour of Congress representatives in Calcutta. The British government became doubtful towards the Congress, as the Congress changed its form in 1888. In 1990, Lord Duffrin called Congress as the representative of a very minute part of the Indians.
Viceroy Curzon wished to eliminate the Congress. In 1990, Lord Curzon wrote to the Indian Secretary, “Congress is gradually declining, and I, while remaining in India, have an intense desire to be helpful in its peaceful death.” The British government became concerned due to the development of nationalistic movement and increasing spirit of unity among the Indians. The British followed the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’.
It induced Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and other supporters of the British to start on AntiCongress movement. They tried to divide the Hindus and the Muslims. Through an organization named ‘United Patriotic Association’, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan brought people who opposed the Congress on a single platform and made them stand in support of the British government.
Partition of Bengal: Viceroy Lord Curzon divided Bengal in 1905 CE to crush the national movement. Under pretext of calling Bengal as a very large province, Lord Curzon told that it was essential to divide it into two parts for the purpose of facilitation of administration. At that time, Bengal had become the centre of national movement. The British wanted to stop the spread of nationalism in Bengal.
Bengal was emerging as the centre of political movement of the entire country. Imperialistic Lord Curzon followed his British policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ and tried to create difference between the Hindus and the Muslims. He separated the Muslim dominated east Bengal from the Hindu dominated rest of Bengal. This plan was implemented on 16th October 1905 CE.
