Tag: national awakening and establishment of political organisations in india

Heavy Export duties on Indian silk and cotton textile in Britain destroyed Indian Industries. On the other hand, British goods were imported into India at a nominal duty.

The Madras Native Association was formed by Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty in the year 1849 in the Madras Presidency. He was an Indian merchant, Indian independence activist and political activist who established the organisation to agitate for the rights of Indians. 

The British Government was not opposed to the formation of Congress. In the beginning, Lord Dufferin encouraged Mr. Hume to form this national organization. In 1886, he invited the Congress Members to a garden party in Calcutta. The British thought the Congress would confine itself to academic discussion of their demands. But later, their attitude towards Congress changed due to increased criticism.

Lord Curzon had a passion for preserving the ancient monuments of historical importance in India. No Viceroy in India before or after him took such a keen interest in archaeological objects. He passed a law called the Ancient Monuments Act, 1904 which made it obligatory on the part of the government and local authorities to preserve the monuments of archaeological importance and their destruction an offence.

The first session of Congress was held in Bombay in 1885 presided over by WC Banerjee. It was attended by 72 delegates representing each province of the country. The INC was founded in 1885 by AO Hume with an aim to obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians and create a platform for civic and political dialogue with the British Raj.

In the presidential adress of the first session of Indian National Congress held at Mumbai in December, 1885. W.C. Banerjee declared the following as the aim of the Indian National Congress:

• To promote and consolidate the feeling of National unity
• To formulate popular demands and present them before the government.
• To bring together leaders from different parts of the country.
• To train and organise public opinion in the country.

 Indian Universities Act, which came into force on March, 1904 was based on the recommendations of Indian Universities Commission. Some of the important changes introduced by it were: