The Early Nationalists were practical and wanted to win freedom by a gradual process. In this context, answer the following:

(a) How did they expose the true nature of British rule in India?

(b) What was the attitude of the Early Nationalists towards the British? Why did they develop such an attitude?

(c) What were the reasons for the partial failure of their methods.

(a) The Early Nationalists played an important role in exposing the true nature of British rule in India. They did so in the following ways-

1. Dadabhai Naoroji's views on Indian economy are given in his work entitled 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'. His famous 'Drain Theory' explained how India's wealth was being 'drained' to England through various ways.
2. Resolutions on Self-government, Boycott, Swadeshi and National Education were passed by the Congress under Dadabhai's Presidentship.
3. The Early nationalists criticised the British rule in newspapers, journals and magazines. They wrote and edited newspapers criticising the unjust policies of British.
4. Surendranath Banerjee started agitation against the License Act, Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act which aimed at curbing the nationalist activities of the people. Through these works, he made people aware of the colonial mindset of the British.

(b) The Early Nationalist leaders who led the Congress and the National Movement in its initial years were staunch believers in open-minded and 'moderate' politics. They believed in loyalty to the British Crown. They had the following attitude towards the British rule-

1. The Early Nationalists had faith in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty and integrity of the British.
2. It was their hope that the British would grant 'Home Rule' to Indians. They relied on the solemn pledges made by the British government.
3. They believed that the British rule had many benefits. For example, it aided in cleansing social ills like sati, untouchability and child marriage.
4. They were of the opinion that Britain would help Indians govern themselves according to western standards.
5. They said that the main obstacle in India's progress was social and economic backwardness of Indians and not the British colonial rule.
6. They relied on constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve their aims. They believed in patience and reconciliation rather than in violence and confrontation.

The Early Nationalists had such an attitude because they believed that continuation of the British connection with India was in the interest of both England and India.

(c) The reasons for the partial failure of the methods followed by the Early Nationalists were-

1. The methods used by the Early Nationalists of passing resolutions and sending petitions depended on the generosity of the British instead of relying on their own strength and challenging the imperialist might.
2. They failed to realise that British and Indian interests clashed with each other. Britain was using India's resources to increase its wealth.
3. The Early Nationalists failed to draw the masses into the mainstream of the national movement. Their area of influence was limited to the urban educated Indians. In particular, their leadership was confined to professional groups such as lawyers, doctors, journalists and teachers.