(a) The vernacular press played a vital role in spreading modern ideas and creating national awareness. Nationalist leaders, the best among the educated middle-class intellectuals, used the press to criticize British policies and expose the evils of foreign rule. The ideas of democracy and responsible government were popularized through the press. Indians were asked to unite and work for the ** of the nation. National literature also inspired the spirit of nationalism among the people. Novels, essays and patriotic poems written by well-known authors and poets fired the imagination of the common people and gave rise to powerful patriotic feelings. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya’ ‘Vande Mataram’ continues to evoke strong patriotic emotions among Indians even to this day.
(b) The drain of India’ wealth to Britain, the impoverishment of the masses, industrial decay, grinding **, frequent famines, and the indifference and apathy of the British government produced a nationalistic reaction. The educated Indians realized the gravity of the situation and the need to have some control over economic policies.
(c) Discriminatory policies adopted by the British:
Indians were debarred from using parks, clubs, hospitals, libraries and railway coaches reserved exclusively for the British.
All important positions in the administration were also reserved for the British. ( Surendranath Banerjee was dismissed from the Indian Civil Service on flimsy grounds) Nominated Indian members in the Legislative Councils were not given any powers.
British economic policies sacrificed Indian interests to those of the British. Lord Lytton’* discriminatory policies caused great resentment among the educated Indians.
