Page 101 - SST Class 08

without licence. His Vernacular Press Act infuri- together to discuss the problems facing them
ated Indians. without regard to region, race and religion. From

The Albert Bill Controversy : During the this common platform these leaders passed
period of Lord Ripon as Viceroy, the Albert Bill resolutions demanding changes in British attitude
was passed. It empowered the Indian judges to and actions. Every year they gathered together at
try the Europeans. It created hue and cry among different places in India, with the number of
the Europeans and their pressure led to reform delegates increasing every time. This proved its
the bill inserting a clause that an Indian would try growing popularity.
a European in the presence of a European
witness. This clearly exposed the malafide
intention of the British authority and clearly
projected their racial antagonism.
The Memory of the Revolt of 1857 : When
nationalism was flaring up in the minds of Indian
people, the memory of the Great Revolt of 1857
flashed back before them. The heroic action of
Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope, Rani Laxmi Bai and
other leaders of the Revolt became fresh in their Dadabhai Naoroji
mind. It inspired the people to cherish with their The early stage of the Congress was called the
memory and to give a fight to the Britishers. Moderate Phase as the leaders of this phase put
The Birth of Indian National Congress : forward moderate and reasonable demands on
The birth of Indian National Congress in 1885 the British. Prominent leaders of this time were
gave a final spark to the growth of national Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, Gopal Krishna
consciousness among the Indians. Soon, the Gokhale, M.G. Ranade, etc. Some Englishmen
National Congress gained momentum in the were also associated with the Congress at this
nook and corner of India. It expressed the desires time.
of the people before the British authorities. The aims and demands of the Congress at this
Through many mass movements and their time were :
important leaders, the courses became able to
1. To increase the voice of the Indians in the
give an ideological fight to the British raj and
government and administrative jobs by
bring freedom to India.
giving them more representation and
participation.

The Non-Cooperation Movement has a wide-ranging 2. Expansion of welfare and education pro-
participation of peasants, tribal and other communi- grams.
ties in rural and urban areas. In the plantations, 3. Cutting down on expenditure in military
thousands of workers defied the authorities and matters and on administration.
chanted the slogans of Gandhi Raj. It also led forma- 4. To try and stop the drain of wealth from
tion of All India Trade Union Congress in Mumbai.
India.
THE MODERATE PHASE (1885-1905) 5. Removal of restrictions on the freedom of
The idea of the formation of the Congress was to speech and expression in national newspa-
bring leaders from all parts of the country pers.

Social Science-8 101