ICSE Class 10 Answered

The role of the early nationalists in arousing political consciousness and laying the foundation of the national movement among the people:

• Dada Bhai Naroji took an active part in the foundation of the Indian National Congress. Four resolutions on Self-government, boycott, swadeshi and national education were passed by the Congress under his Presidentship.
• Surendranath Banerjee founded the Indian Association in 1876 to oppose the unjust policies of the British. The aim of this association was to educate the people and to arouse the political consciousness and unity among the Indians.
• He also convened the Indian National Conference in 1883 at Kolkata to create an all India political organisation. This organisation later merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.
• S.N. Banerjee also started agitation against the License Act, arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act. Surendranath Banerjee is popularly known as the father of Indian Nationalism.