Tag: civics

Demands of Early Nationalists were divided in to four parts:

• Constitutional Reforms
• Economic Reforms
• Administrative Demands
• Defence of Civil Rights

• Availability of cheap credits to peasants through agricultural banks.
• Development of banking, irrigation, medical and health facilities for the people.
• Total abolition of Salt tax and the duty on sugar.
• An enquiry into India's growing poverty and famines.

During the first twenty years of its inception the Congress was completely controlled by the liberal leaders known as the Moderates. They believed that British rule should continue in India as it was gradually preparing the Indians to be capable for self rule. Their objective was to reform legislature. They demanded Wider employment of Indians in higher public services, Establishment of representative institutions, more funds for technical education, cuts in military expenditure, etc.

The Indian National Association also known as Indian Association was the first avowed nationalist organization founded in British India by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose in 1876. The objectives of this Association were "promoting by every legitimate means the political, intellectual and material advancement of the people". The Association attracted educated Indians and civic leaders from all parts of the country, and became an important forum for India's aspirations for independence. It later merged with the Indian National Congress.

The methods used by the Early Nationalists of passing resolutions and sending petitions were seen as inadequate by critics who argued that they depended on the generosity of the British instead of relying on their own strength and challenging the imperialist might. They failed to realise that British and Indian interests clashed with each other and that Britain was using India's resources to increase its wealth. The Early Nationalists failed to draw the masses into the mainstream of the national movement such that their area of influence remained limited to urban educated Indians. In particular, their leadership comprised only members of professional groups such as lawyers, doctors, journalists and teachers.