CBSE Class 8 Answered

The following are three important factors promoting the growth of nationalism in India:

Economic Exploitation - Indians gradually realised that the general aim of the British policies in India was to secure the British interests instead of those of the ‘natives’. The peasants were the main victims of this. The exorbitant tax rates pushed the peasants into the clutches of bankruptcy or debt. Also, the British colonial policy systematically destroyed the Indian arts industry and trade and hence rendered Indian artisans jobless. India was turned into an exporter of raw materials to British industries and a market for the British finished products. The newly emerged working class too was reeling under pathetic working conditions, long hours of work and low salaries. The educated Indians found it impossible  to engage themselves professionally anywhere except in government employment since British policies were conditioned to keep India in a state of industrial stasis.

Repressive Colonial Policies - Many of the policies followed by the colonial administration, especially under Lord Lytton, actually fostered the development of Indian nationalism. Lytton organised a Grand Delhi Darbar in 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as the Empress of India but did nothing to alleviate the famine stricken population of India. The Vernacular Press Act (1878) and the Indian Arms Act (1879) passed by the Lytton administration were discriminative towards the Indians as also the decision to reduce the age limit for the Indian Civil Service examination from 21 to 19 years. He also removed the import duties on British textiles which proved harmful for Indian industries. Also, the controversy regarding the Ilbert Bill (1883) convinced the Indians that justice and fair play was not possible so long as the interests of the British community were involved.  as far as they were colonised.

Influence of Western Education - The introduction of western education in India opened up the vistas of modern liberal ideas of democracy and nationalism. The newly educated Indians studied liberal European thought, history, economic ideas, ideals of liberty, equality, rule of law and self government and awakened to the need of the independence of their nation. The English language also facilitated greater contact and cooperation between Indians of all regions and helped launch a freedom movement that was truly national in character.