The early Nationalists believed in caution and slow evolution. In this context describe:

(a) Their Main Beliefs

(b) Their Methods of Struggle

(a) The early Nationalists believed the following-

1. They had unlimited faith in the British sense of justice and fair play. The First Session of the Congress ended with "three cheers" for Hume and Hume answered the greetings with "three cheers for Her Majesty, the Queen Empress." The Congress in those days was a band of loyalists who were proud of their British connections.
2. To England they looked for "inspiration and guidance." Even when they criticised the government, they maintained a certain dignity and moderation.
3. Dadabhai Naoroji was honest enough to recognise the benefits which English rule had conferred upon Indians, especially the English language and the modern means of communication and transport.

(b) The Methods of Struggle of the Early Nationalists were as follows-

1. The early nationalists did not believe in agitation or unconstitutional means.
2. They carried their agitation through-
   
   1. Petitions to high Government officials
   2. Resolutions
   3. Meetings in towns, cities and the countryside
   4. Distribution of leaflets and pamphlets criticising government policies
   5. Preparing Memorandum (a written report) for the Government Committees or for submission to Committees of British Parliament
   6. Sending Delegations of leading Indians to England to have talks with British authorities on behalf of people of India.
3. Dadabhai Naoroji had founded the East India Association in London in 1866. Through this Association, he aimed at providing members of British Parliament information regarding India's grievances.
4. In brief, these leaders believed that once the Government was convinced of the genuine needs for reforms, their demands would be conceded sooner or later.
5. The early Congressmen "merely wanted to mitigate the evils of British rule and not to terminate it." They believed that by constitutional agitation alone could political and economic reforms be achieved.