On the other hand, even the existing political rights of the people were attacked. The political events of the years 1892-1905 also disappointed the nationalists and made them think of more radical politics. The evil economic consequences of foreign rule were symbolized in the eyes of the people by the disastrous famines which ravaged India from 1896 to 1900 and took a toll of over 90 lakhs of lives. In particular, the nationalists came to see that Indian industries could not flourish except under an Indian government, which could protect and promote them. They realised that India could make little progress in the economic field unless British imperialism was replaced by a government controlled and run by the Indian people. Politically conscious Indians were convinced that the purpose of the British rule was to exploit India economically, that is, to enrich England at the cost of India. The nationalist writers and agitators blamed the British rule for the poverty of the people. The political agitation of the moderates was itself responsible for this to a large extent. But the spread of knowledge regarding political and economic questions gradually undermined this belief. The politics of the moderate nationalists were founded on the belief that British rule could be reformed from within. Recognition of the True Nature of British Rule: Consequently, there was a strong demand for more vigorous political action and methods than those of meetings, petitions, memorials and speeches in the legislative councils.Ģ. Instead of conciliating the moderate nationalists, the British rulers denigrated and looked down upon them. It had, in fact, changed the temper of the people and created a new life in the country.Īt the same time, the failure of the British government to accept any of the important demands of the nationalists produced disillusionment among the politically conscious people with the principles and methods of the dominant moderate leadership. It had imparted the necessary political training to the educated Indians. The Indian national movement even in its early days had increasingly made a large number of people conscious of the evils of foreign domination and of the need for fostering patriotism. It found expression in the movement against the partition of Bengal in 1905. Gradually, over the years, the trend of militant nationalism (also known as Extremism) had been growing in the country. Introduction to Nationalist Movement (1905-18):