Tag: programme and achievements of the early nationalists (moderates)

• Chittaranjan Das, a revolutionary freedom fighter, was endearingly called ‘Deshabandhu’ (Friend of the Nation). Born on 5 November 1870 in Calcutta, he belonged to an upper middle-class family of Telirbagh, in Dacca district.
• Chittaranjan’s patriotic ideas were greatly influenced by his father, Bhuban Mohan Das, a reputed Solicitor of the Calcutta High Court. It was Bankim Chandra who influenced him in his political ideas. It was not before 1917 that Das came to the forefront of nationalist politics. In that year he was invited to preside over the Bengal Provincial Conference held at Bhowanipore. His political career was brief but meteoric. In the course of only eight years he rose to all-India fame by virtue of his intense patriotism, sincerity and oratorical power.

The economic issues raised by the Early Nationalists were:

1. Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of the zamindars (hereditary land owners).
2. Reduction in expenditure on the army, and the money thus saved to be spent on welfare activities such as health and education.
3. An enquiry into India's growing poverty and famines.
4. Availability of cheap credit to peasants through agricultural banks.
5. Development of banking, irrigation, medical and health facilities for the people.
6. Industrial growth through trade protection. That meant that a heavy tax should be imposed on imported goods and the government should give loans for the development of iron, coal, paper and sugar industries in India.
7. Total abolition of the salt tax and the duty on sugar.

Moderates believed in constitutional and peaceful methods. They aimed at administrative and constitutional reforms and  wanted more Indians in the administration. To bring political awareness among the people they held meetings and discussions on social, economic and cultural matters. The early Nationalists used press for criticizing the worng policies of the government.  

Naoroji published Poverty and un-British Rule in India in 1901. His book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India brought attention to the draining of India's wealth into Britain. He was also a member of the Second International along with Kautsky and Plekhanov.

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.