Modern India — Beginning of Modern Nationalism in India
1. Political Associations Before the Indian National Congress
Context: The period from 1836 to 1885 witnessed the emergence of numerous political associations that laid the groundwork for organized nationalism in India, eventually culminating in the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha (1836)
- Formed by associates of Raja Rammohan Roy.
- One of the earliest political associations in Bengal.
Zamindari Association / Landholders' Society (1837)
- Founder: Dwarkanath Tagore.
- Formed to safeguard the interests of landlords.
Bengal British India Society (1843)
- Founders: George Thompson, Dwarkanath Tagore, Chandra Mohan Chatterjee, Parmananda Maitra.
- Aimed at collection and dissemination of information relating to the actual condition of the people of British India.
British Indian Association (1851)
- President: Radhakant Deb; General Secretary: Debendranath Tagore.
- Product of merger of Landholders Society and Bengal British India Society.
- Gave a petition to the British Parliament in 1852 when the new Charter Act was being discussed.
East India Association (1866)
- Founder: Dadabhai Naoroji in London.
- Discussed Indian issues and influenced English public figures to promote Indian welfare.
- Later established branches in major Indian cities.
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1867)
- Founders: Mahadev Govind Ranade and others.
- Acted as a liaison between the government and the people.
Indian Association of Calcutta / Indian National Association (1876)
- Leaders: Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose.
- Formed due to discontent with conservative and pro-landlord policies of the British Indian Association.
- Demands: Against age reduction in ICS examination (1877); demanded simultaneous holding of civil service examinations in England and India; Indianisation of higher administrative posts.
- Campaign against the Repressive Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act.
All-India Conference (1883)
- Sponsored by the Indian Association of Calcutta.
- Hosted a significant conference in Calcutta from December 28 to 30, laying the groundwork for an all-India nationalist organization.
- In 1886, it merged with the INC.
Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884)
- Founders: M. Viraraghavachari (Veeraraghavachariar), B. Subramania Aiyer, and P. Ananda Charlu.
Bombay Presidency Association (1885)
- Founders: Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and K.T. Telang.
Key Contributions of Pre-Congress Political Associations:
- Created political awareness among the masses
- Developed organizational skills and experience
- Articulated nationalist demands
- Exposed the exploitative nature of British rule
- Provided a platform for political expression
- Laid the foundation for the Indian National Congress
- Created political awareness among the masses
- Developed organizational skills and experience
- Articulated nationalist demands
- Exposed the exploitative nature of British rule
- Provided a platform for political expression
- Laid the foundation for the Indian National Congress
Knowledge Nugget
The political associations of the pre-Congress era were primarily confined to urban centers and dominated by the educated elite. However, they played a crucial role in articulating nationalist sentiments and creating a political culture that made the establishment of the Indian National Congress possible in 1885.
The political associations of the pre-Congress era were primarily confined to urban centers and dominated by the educated elite. However, they played a crucial role in articulating nationalist sentiments and creating a political culture that made the establishment of the Indian National Congress possible in 1885.
2. Summary: Political Associations (1836-1885)
| Association | Year | Founder/Leader | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha | 1836 | Associates of Rammohan Roy | One of the earliest political associations |
| Zamindari Association | 1837 | Dwarkanath Tagore | Safeguarded landlord interests |
| Bengal British India Society | 1843 | George Thompson, Dwarkanath Tagore | Disseminated information on people's condition |
| British Indian Association | 1851 | Radhakant Deb, Debendranath Tagore | Merger of Landholders Society & Bengal British India Society |
| East India Association | 1866 | Dadabhai Naoroji | Discussed Indian issues in London |
| Poona Sarvajanik Sabha | 1867 | M.G. Ranade | Liaison between government and people |
| Indian Association of Calcutta | 1876 | Surendranath Banerjea, Ananda Mohan Bose | Against Arms Act & Vernacular Press Act |
| All-India Conference | 1883 | Indian Association of Calcutta | Laid groundwork for all-India organization |
| Madras Mahajan Sabha | 1884 | Viraraghavachari, Subramania Aiyer | Madras Presidency |
| Bombay Presidency Association | 1885 | Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta | Bombay Presidency |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha (1836) — Associates of Rammohan Roy
- Zamindari Association (1837) — Dwarkanath Tagore
- British Indian Association (1851) — Merger of two societies
- East India Association (1866) — Dadabhai Naoroji in London
- Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1867) — M.G. Ranade
- Indian Association (1876) — Surendranath Banerjea
- All-India Conference (1883) — Laid groundwork for INC
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 6 Focus)
Q1. The Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha was formed in which year?
Correct Answer: A. The Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha was formed in 1836 by associates of Raja Rammohan Roy.
Q2. The Zamindari Association was founded by:
Correct Answer: B. The Zamindari Association, also known as the Landholders' Society, was founded by Dwarkanath Tagore in 1837.
Q3. The British Indian Association was formed by the merger of which two organizations?
Correct Answer: A. The British Indian Association (1851) was the product of the merger of the Landholders Society and the Bengal British India Society.
Q4. The East India Association was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in which year and city?
Correct Answer: A. The East India Association was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in London in 1866 to discuss Indian issues and influence English public figures.
Q5. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded by:
Correct Answer: B. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded in 1867 by Mahadev Govind Ranade and others as a liaison between the government and the people.
Q6. The Indian Association of Calcutta was led by:
Correct Answer: A. The Indian Association of Calcutta (Indian National Association) was led by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose in 1876.
Q7. The All-India Conference was held in Calcutta from December 28 to 30 in which year?
Correct Answer: A. The All-India Conference was held in Calcutta from December 28 to 30, 1883, sponsored by the Indian Association of Calcutta. It laid the groundwork for an all-India nationalist organization.
Q8. The Madras Mahajan Sabha was founded in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Madras Mahajan Sabha was established in 1884 by M. Viraraghavachari, B. Subramania Aiyer, and P. Ananda Charlu.
Q9. The Bombay Presidency Association was founded in 1885 by:
Correct Answer: A. The Bombay Presidency Association was initiated in 1885 by Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and K.T. Telang.
Q10. In which year did the All-India Conference merge with the Indian National Congress?
Correct Answer: B. The All-India Conference merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.