Indian League (1875) - Political Associations Before Indian National Congress - Modern India History Notes
The Indian League was founded in 1875 by Sisir Kumar Ghosh with the goal of "stimulating a sense of nationalism among the people" and encouraging political education. This organization was associated with nationalist leaders such as Ananda Mohan Bose, Durgamohan Das, Nabagopal Mitra, Surendranath Banerjee, and others. This article highlights various features of the Indian League which are important for aspirants preparing for the UPSC examination.
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Sisir Kumar Ghosh
About Sisir Kumar Ghosh
- Sisir Kumar Ghosh (1840–1911) was a well-known Indian journalist, the founder of the Amrita Bazar Patrika, a well-known Bengali language newspaper in 1868, and a Bengali freedom fighter.
- In 1875, he founded the Indian League with the goal of instilling a sense of nationalism in the people.
- He was also a Vaishnavite, best known for his writings on the mystic-saint Lord Chaitanya, and he published Lord Gauranga or Salvation for All in 1897.
- He was among the first students to pass Calcutta University's first entrance examination in 1857.
Indian League - Features
- In the late sixties and early seventies of the 19th century, the Indian National Movement became more broad-based and received wider publicity through the medium of the press.
- In 1868, Sisir Kumar Ghosh published the Amrita Bazar Patrika, the most powerful organ of national opinion.
- Describing the misrule of the English, he wrote on 31st December 1868, “The Bengalis are determined to oppose the tyranny of Englishmen at every step”.
- In some of the articles published in 1870, he held out the parliamentary government in India as the only solution to the problem.
- Sisir Kumar Ghosh along with a group of progressive leaders founded the India League in 1875.
- The League aspired to represent not only the middle class but the masses as well and to stimulate a sense of nationalism among the people.
Conclusion
The Indian National Congress was not India's first political organization. However, wealthy and aristocratic elements dominated most political associations in the early half of the nineteenth century. In Bengal, there were numerous political organizations. Sisir Kumar Ghosh founded the Indian League in 1875. Later, in 1876, the India League of Sisir Kumar Ghosh was superseded by the Indian National Association, which was founded by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose.
FAQs
Question: Who founded the Indian League in 1875, and what was its main objective?
Answer: The Indian League was founded by Sisir Kumar Ghosh in 1875. Its main objective was to promote national unity among educated Indians and to encourage discussions on political, social, and economic issues.
Question: What role did the Indian League play in the early nationalist movement in India?
Answer: The Indian League played a significant role in raising political consciousness among Indians and encouraging political debates and discussions. It helped create the foundation for future political movements, including the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Question: Why was the Indian League primarily composed of educated elites?
Answer: The Indian League was largely composed of educated elites such as lawyers, journalists, and academics because it focused on political reforms through constitutional means. Its activities were concentrated in urban centers, particularly in Bengal, limiting its reach to the educated class.
Question: How did the Indian League contribute to the formation of the Indian National Congress?
Answer: The Indian League and other similar associations paved the way for the Indian National Congress by fostering a culture of political discourse and by representing Indian interests to the British government. The League helped in creating a platform for collective political activity, which would later evolve into a more organized and widespread movement.
Question: What were the key reforms advocated by the Indian League?
Answer: The Indian League advocated for reforms in areas such as education, social justice, and economic development. It also called for greater Indian representation in the civil services and the reduction of discriminatory policies implemented by the British.
MCQs
1. Who was the founder of the Indian League (1875)?
A. Dadabhai Naoroji
B. Surendranath Banerjee
C. Sisir Kumar Ghosh
D. A.O. Hume
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Indian League was founded by Sisir Kumar Ghosh in 1875 with the aim of promoting political awareness and national unity among Indians.
2. What was the primary objective of the Indian League?
A. To organize mass protests
B. To promote national unity and political consciousness
C. To demand immediate independence from British rule
D. To form a political party
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The primary objective of the Indian League was to promote national unity among educated Indians and raise political consciousness through discussions and debates on reforms.
3. Which class of society mainly supported the Indian League?
A. Farmers
B. Laborers
C. Educated elites
D. Industrialists
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Indian League primarily attracted members from the educated middle class, including professionals like lawyers, journalists, and academics.
4. The Indian League is considered a precursor to which major political organization?
A. All India Muslim League
B. Indian National Congress
C. Swaraj Party
D. Forward Bloc
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Indian League is considered a precursor to the Indian National Congress as it laid the groundwork for organized political activity and discourse in India.
5. What was one of the key reforms advocated by the Indian League?
A. Universal suffrage
B. Greater Indian representation in the civil services
C. Establishment of an independent judiciary
D. Complete independence from British rule
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: One of the key reforms advocated by the Indian League was greater Indian representation in the civil services and the reduction of discriminatory policies against Indians.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
1. Discuss the significance of the Indian League (1875) in the context of early political associations in India.
Answer: The Indian League, founded in 1875 by Sisir Kumar Ghosh, was one of the earliest political associations established in India, predating the formation of the Indian National Congress. The League played a crucial role in promoting political consciousness among educated Indians and raising awareness about national issues. Although its reach was limited to the urban elite, it created a space for political discourse and encouraged Indians to express their grievances to the British government. The Indian League laid the foundation for more organized political activity and helped set the stage for the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. Its advocacy for reforms in education, civil services, and social justice contributed to the early nationalist movement.
2. Analyze the role of the Indian League and similar associations in shaping India's early political landscape.
Answer: The Indian League and other political associations of the late 19th century played a critical role in shaping India’s early political landscape. These organizations were primarily composed of the educated elite and aimed at promoting political awareness, advocating for reforms, and representing Indian interests to the British government. While these associations were limited in terms of mass mobilization, they were instrumental in fostering a sense of national unity and creating a platform for political discourse. The Indian League, along with other groups like the Indian Association and the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, helped build a political culture that ultimately led to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. These early associations laid the groundwork for India's freedom struggle by articulating demands for constitutional reforms and increased Indian representation in governance.
3. Evaluate the limitations of the Indian League in achieving widespread political influence in India.
Answer: Despite its significant role in raising political consciousness, the Indian League faced several limitations that hindered its ability to achieve widespread political influence. Firstly, the League’s membership was largely restricted to the educated middle class, such as lawyers and academics, limiting its appeal to the broader population, especially the rural masses. Secondly, the League’s activities were concentrated in urban centers, particularly in Bengal, which further constrained its reach. Additionally, the Indian League’s approach of working within the constitutional framework and focusing on reform rather than mass agitation meant that it did not gain the level of popular support that later movements, such as the Indian National Congress, were able to mobilize. These limitations, along with the lack of a cohesive national strategy, prevented the Indian League from becoming a mass political movement.
Previous Year Questions on Early Political Associations
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020
Question: Which of the following was an early political association before the formation of the Indian National Congress?
A. Indian League
B. Muslim League
C. Swaraj Party
D. Forward Bloc
Answer: A
Explanation: The Indian League was one of the early political associations formed in 1875, preceding the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1)
Question: "Early political associations like the Indian League played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for India's independence movement." Discuss with reference to the Indian League and other similar organizations.
Answer: Early political associations, such as the Indian League, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and the Indian Association, played an essential role in laying the groundwork for India's independence movement. These organizations, composed primarily of the educated elite, promoted political awareness and advocated for constitutional reforms to address Indian grievances. While they did not mobilize the masses, they created a political culture that eventually led to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. The Indian League, in particular, helped promote national unity and encouraged Indians to engage in political discourse and demand greater representation in governance. These associations paved the way for the more widespread and organized political movements that would follow in the 20th century, ultimately leading to India’s independence.
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