The period from 1885 to 1905 is called the period of the Early Nationalists. In this context, explain the following

(a) Why is this period called the period of the Early Nationalists?

(b) Demands of the Early Nationalists

(c) Methods of the Early Nationalists

(a) The phase from 1885 to 1905 is known as the period of the Early Nationalists because during this period the affairs of the Congress and the reins of the National Movement remained in the hands of the Early Nationalist leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjea, Pherozeshah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, etc. They concerned themselves with the demand for reforms and Adopted constitutional and peaceful means to achieve their objectives.

(b) The Early Nationalists wanted certain political and economic reforms, such as:

1. Constitutional Reforms : Costitutional demands put forward by the Early Nationalists are:

   1. Expansion and reform of the Legislative Council, increase in its membership and powers, and the members of the councils to be directly elected by the people.
   2. Swaraj or self-government within the British Empire

2. Economic Reforms : Economic demands put forward by the Early Nationalists are:

   1. Reduction in land revenue.
   2. Rapid development of the modern industries.
   3. Use of Swadeshi goods to promote Indian industries.
   4. Change in the existing pattern of taxation and expenditure
   5. Abolition of salt tax
   6. Reduction in expenditure on the army and the welfare of the Indians.

3. Administrative and Other Reforms : Administrative demands put forward by the Early Nationalists to change the corrupt, inefficient and oppressive adminstrative system are:

   1. Indianisation of administrative services
   2. Appointment of the educated Indians to higher posts
   3. Expenditure on the Civil Service was criticised
   4. Repeal of the Arms Act and Licence Act, and separation of judiciary from the executive
   5. Simultaneous examinations in India and England for the Indian Civil Service.
   6. Facilities for primary, higher and technical education
   7. Development of banking, irrigation, medical and health facilities
   8. Reforms in the police system to set up a welfare state
   9. Complete separation of the Judiciary and the Executive

4. Defence of Civil Rights : Following demands were made by the Early Nationalists for the defense of the Civil rights:

   1. Abolition of the Preventive Detention Act and restoration of individual liberties.
   2. Right to assemble and form association.
   3. Freedom of press and abolition of press censorship.

(c) The methods of the Early Nationalists were as moderate as their demands, aims and objectives.

1. They believed in patience and conciliation and not in confrontation.
2. They believed in orderly progress and adopted constitutional means to realise their aims.
3. To educate the people, to arouse political consciousness and to create a powerful public opinion in favour of their demands, they organised annual sessions.
4. Processions were taken out, meetings were held, speeches were delivered and discussions were held on various economic, social and political questions.
5. The Early Nationalists drafted petitions and memorandums and submitted them to the Government.
6. They used the press for criticising the wrong policies of the Government and organising public opinion on various political, economic and social problems of the day.