First Phase of the Indian National Movement

1. Beliefs of the Early Nationalists

• Faith in British Justice: They firmly believed in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty, and integrity of the British.
• Hope for 'Home Rule': They relied on the solemn pledges made by the British government and hoped to be granted 'Home Rule'.
• Benefits of British Rule: They felt the British helped cleanse Indian society of social ills like sati, untouchability, and child marriage.
• Western Governance: They believed Britain would help Indians govern themselves according to modern western standards.
• Root Cause of Backwardness: They believed that India's social and economic backwardness was the main obstacle to progress, rather than British colonial rule itself.
• Peaceful Methods: They heavily relied on constitutional, peaceful methods, preferring patience and reconciliation over violence and confrontation.

2. Demands of the Early Nationalists

A. Constitutional Reforms

• Abolition of the India Council.
• Expansion of Legislative Councils (Centre and Provinces) with more elected Indian members.
• Indian control over the public purse, raising the slogan 'No taxation without representation'.
• Demand for Swarajya (self-government) within the British empire, similar to colonies like Canada and Australia.
• Adequate representation of Indians in the Executive Council of the Viceroy and Governors.

B. Economic Reforms

• Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants from unjust zamindar demands.
• Reduction of massive army expenditure, redirecting funds to welfare, health, and education.
• Enquiry into India's growing poverty and famines.
• Availability of cheap credit for farmers via agricultural banks.
• Industrial growth through trade protection (heavy taxes on imported goods) and government loans for Indian industries.
• Total abolition of the Salt Tax and sugar duty.

C. Administrative Demands

• Indianisation of services through simultaneous Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams in England and India.
• Complete separation of the executive and the judiciary to protect Indians from arbitrary police acts.
• Repeal of the Arms Act and Licence Act.
• Increase in powers of local municipal bodies and spread of primary education.

D. Defence of Civil Rights

• Removal of restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
• Abolition of the Preventive Detention Act and restoration of individual liberties.
• Restoration of the right to assemble and form associations.

3. Methods of the Early Nationalists

They were practical and aimed to win freedom through a gradual process ("Constitutional Agitation Method"). They worked on the lines of least resistance with two main objectives:

First Objective: Educate Indians & Arouse Political Consciousness

• Held meetings to pass resolutions for popular demands.
• Used the press effectively to criticize government policies.
• Drafted memorandums and petitions with solid facts and arguments to educate the Indian public.

Second Objective: Influence British Government & Public

• The 3 P's: Relied heavily on Petitions, Prayers, and Protests.
• Set up the British Committee of the Indian National Congress in London (1889) and published a weekly journal called India.
• Sent deputations of Indian leaders (like Dadabhai Naoroji) to Britain to spread awareness about the plight of Indians among British politicians and the public.

4. Attitude of the British Government

• The British realized the growing unity of Indians posed a major threat to their rule.
• They aggressively pushed a policy of 'Divide and Rule' to sow seeds of communalism between Hindus and Muslims.
• They encouraged loyalists and pro-British individuals (like Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan) to start anti-Congress movements.
• They granted minor concessions to separatists to suppress nationalism, though their hostility ultimately made the Congress more powerful.

5. Prominent Early Nationalist Leaders

6. Achievements of the Early Nationalists

• Successfully aroused the feeling of belonging to one common nation among Indians.
• Trained Indians in the art of political work, public debate, and democratic principles.
• Exposed the true exploitative nature of British rule in India, destroying the myth of British benevolence.
• Pressurized the government to introduce critical reforms, such as the appointment of the Public Service Commission (1886), simultaneous ICS exams, and the appointment of the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure.