How far did each of the following lead to the rise and growth of nationalism in India?

(a) Policy of economic exploitation of the Britishers.

(b) Repressive policy of Lord Lytton.

(a) The British policy of economic exploitation played a major role in the rise and growth of nationalism in India.

1. Drain of Wealth: British economic policies led to a massive transfer of India’s wealth to Britain without any returns. Thinkers like Dadabhai Naoroji exposed this through the "Drain Theory", which deeply hurt Indian sentiments.
2. Destruction of Indian Handicrafts: British goods were dumped in India, leading to the collapse of traditional Indian industries and massive unemployment. Indian artisans and craftsmen were worst affected.
3. Land Revenue Policies: Heavy and unjust land taxes under systems like Zamindari and Ryotwari pushed farmers into debt and poverty. Famines worsened due to lack of state support.
4. Neglect of Indian Welfare: The British focused on developing infrastructure like railways and telegraphs only to serve their economic interests (moving troops and raw materials), not for public benefit.
5. Rise of Economic Nationalism: Exposure to this exploitation created a new class of educated Indians who began questioning British rule. Leaders like Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale fueled nationalist thought by analyzing and criticizing British policies.

Thus, the economic hardships caused by British rule made people empathise with each other and unified them. The sense of injustice and exploitation united Indians across regions and classes, laying the foundation for a strong nationalist movement.

(b) Lord Lytton acted as a catalyst for the growth of nationalist movement in India. Some of his repressive policies are given below:

1. He organised the Grand Delhi Durbar in 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. Millions in south India were affected by a terrible famine but no help was provided to them.
2. Lord Lytton introduced the Vernacular Press Act (1878). It forbade vernacular papers from publishing any material that might excite feelings of dissatisfaction against the British government.
3. Lord Lytton introduced the Indian Arms Act (1878). This Act made it a criminal offence for Indians to carry arms without licence.
4. The maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Service Examination was gradually reduced from 23 to 19 years to ruin the prospects of Indian candidates for the Indian Civil Service.
5. The import duties on British textiles were removed. It proved harmful for the Indian industry.

This made it clear to the Indians that the Britishers could never treat the Indians and their own the same. They only cared about the benefits and interests of the European community.