Many causes were responsible for the rise and growth of the National Movement. In this context, explain the following:

(a) Contribution of Indian press and literature.

(b) Rediscovery of India's glorious past.

(c) Contribution of religious and social reformers.

(a) The Indian press and literature aroused the feelings of patriotism and national consciousness.

1. Many newspapers were published in different parts of the country such as the Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Hindu, the Patriot, the Maratha, the Kesari, the Azad, the Indian Mirror, The Tribune, the Advocate, the Kohinoor, etc. They criticised the unjust policies of the government and infused political ideas and patriotic sentiments, and roused political consciousness among the people.
2. Tilak's weeklies Kesari and Mahratta instilled pride among Indians for their country.
3. The writings of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, Vishnu Shastri, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Din Bandhu Mitra, etc. stirred the hearts of the Indian masses and brought about a revolution in their minds and prepared them to make any sacrifice for the sake of their motherland.
4. B.C. Chatterjee's Bengali novel Anand Math became the Bible of modern Bengali patriotism. It contained the national song "Bande Matram" which greatly inspired the people.

(b) Many foreign scholars conducted many studies on Indian history. They were greatly impressed by the political, social and cultural advancement of India in the past. They praised the rich cultural heritage of India to the utmost. Indian writers such as R.G. Bhandarkar, M.G. Ranade, Hara Prashad Shastri, etc. threw light on the greatness and glory of ancient India. The works of these scholars roused the feelings of self-respect, self-confidence, patriotism and nationalism among the people.

(c) Social and religious reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Swami Dayanand (author of Satyartha Prakash), Jyotiba Phule, Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, etc. carried out many reforms in the 19th century which paved the way for the national movement. They inspired the people with the ideas of self-respect, self-confidence and self-reliance and roused in them the feelings of patriotism and nationalism. Some of the important reforms are given below:

Raja Rammohan Roy

1. Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. It brought about a New Awakening in India and became a catalyst for social and political reforms.
2. Due to his efforts, the practice of Sati was made illegal and punishable by law in 1829.
3. He started a Bengali weekly Samvad Kaumudi and Persian paper Mirat-ul-Akbar, with distinct nationalist and progressive characters.

Jyotiba Phule

1. Phule opened many schools for the upliftment of the down trodden people, and one of the first Girls Schools at Pune in 1851.
2. He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to mitigate the distress and sufferings of dalits and women. The Samaj opposed idolatry and denounced the caste system, campaigned for spread of rational thinking and rejected the need for priests.