1. Impact of India’s glorious past: Due to great knowledge India was called Vishvaguru in ancient time. Our famous men and kings tried to tie India in one thread. Due to this glorious inspiration in 19th century, feeling of nationalism developed in Indians against Britishers. Not only Indians but European intellectuals also considered Indian Vedic knowledge important for the welfare of the world.
2. Impact of British rule: Policies of Britishers exploited Indians economically and culturally. Many revolts occurred against the British Government from 1837 AD to 1857 AD. India’s national movement was the reaction against Britishers policies.
3. Impact of English Education: Though Macaulay wanted to make Indians mentally slave of them, English language became the Communication language for Indians by which they can contact anywhere in the world. Indian youth took interest in higher education which encouraged the national awareness.
4. Impact of contact with western thinkers and philosophers: When English education came into existence, it gave rise to nationalism. Through English language, Indians began to transmit their ideas. Not doubt, the British introduced English education for their own benefit, but it became a curse of themselves. Due to English language, Indian youth came in the contact with thinkers and philosophers like, Burke, Bentham, Mill, Rousseau, Milton and Spencer, etc. They were impressed of their revolutionary and nationalist thinking, which gave strength to nationalism.
5. Contribution of Indian literalists: Indian poets and authors created the literature full of love for nation. Plays like Anand Math and Neel Darpan encouraged the feeling of nationalism in people. Bankim Chatterji’s Anand Math became the synonym of patriotism. He created the song Vande Matram. It became the main source of inspiration for activists. Among other literalists Hem Chandra Bannerjee, Naveen Chandra Sen, R.C. Dutt, Ravindra Nath Tagore, Badri Narayan Chaudhary, Pratap Narayan Mishra, Bal Krishna Bhatt, etc. gave special contribution in awakening the feeling of nationalism through their creations.
6. Starting of Printing Press and contribution of Newspapers: Newspapers and magazines are the readily available means of communication. In 1800 AD, printing press was started at Rampur near Kolkata which gave impetus to publication of newspapers. In 1774 AD, the first newspaper India Gazette and in 1780 AD, Bengal Gazette were published. In view of spread of feeling of nationalism Raja Ram Mohan Roy published ‘Samvad Kaumudi’ and Miratul newspaper. In 1826 AD, the first Hindi newspaper ‘Uddant Martand’ was started and published. In these newspapers, exploitation policies of colonialism of East India Company were openly criticised. Through newspapers, thinking of Indian social reformers and political thinkers reached to people. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar published ‘Som Prakash’ and Harish Chandra Mukherjee published ‘Hindu Patriot’. In 1868 AD, Amrit Bazar Magazine’ was published. Tilak published ‘Kesri’ in Marathi and ‘Martha’ in English. These newspapers built an atmosphere of sacrifice and nationalism in India.
7. Discriminated policy of the British for Indians: Indians were not posted on high posts. After the end of revolt or First War of Independence 1857, atrocities were made on Indians. They were insulted and discrimination was done between Britishers and Indians before law. This all created an unrest among Indians against Britishers.
8. Impact of social and religious reforms or National movement: The new schools of religious philosophies like Brahmo Samaj, Aiya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission played an important role in the elimination of social evils in the beginning of the freedom movement from Indian society. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Dayanand Saraswati tried to remove the social evils and awaken the nationalism among people.
9. India’s economic exploitation: Britishers economic policies ruined India’s cottage industries. They purchased fine raw material on low cost. It was sent to Britain at Liverpool and Manchester. Here cloth was manufactured and finished cloth was sent to India and sold at high cost. It destroyed the Indian textile industry. The East India Company wanted to make India an agricultural country for supply of raw material to promote industrial development in England. There was a great difference on export and import duties on Indian goods. In India, British government’s expenditure was afforded by India so, Indian people were burdened with taxes. Hence, wealth of India was drained to England. As a result, destruction of Indian cottage industries and exploitation of farmers etc. forced Indians to revolt.
