Hindu Nationalism

Hindu Nationalism

The Spirit of Hindu Nationalism

India's struggle for independence began during the end of the 19th century. As the more educated citizens of India, mostly lawyers, teachers, and journalists, started studying the theories of Western democracy, more and more became convinced that they were not receiving the full rights of the British citizen. Once the seeds of Indian nationalism were sewn, they began to sprout in the form of the Indian National Congress. The organization's purpose was to debate British policy towards India, and to push for social and economic reform. However, the moderate methods of Congress, having little success, eventually gave way to more direct approaches. The Hindu landlords in Bengal, for example, pushed a boycott on British imports, causing an increase in the development of local industries for several years. Others formed small terrorist groups to assassinate several British officials. Although these methods proved somewhat effective, a much greater force than petty uprisings was required if India wanted to gain independence (Geoffrey, 2004, 45-49).

Mohandas Gandhi, and Indian lawyer, probably played the most important role in India's fight for independence. Gandhi used acts of civil disobedience to resist British authority. Lead by Gandhi, Indian citizens organized boycotts, and broke laws that they considered unfair, to persuade the British government to issue reforms on their current policy with India. Movements like the "salt satyagraha," where protesters made salt from the ocean as a protest on a salt tax, eventually forced Great Britain to give in to India's demands. When World War II broke out in 1939, Britain declared war on India's behalf, without allowing Indian leaders their say in the situation. After unsuccessful negotiations, Gandhi organized a major disobedience movement on a national scale, with hopes of full independence. Violent demonstrations broke out when Gandhi was imprisoned along ...