Sepoys who are also termed Indian soldiers had summoned a fight against the British rule in 1857 which is often mentioned as the “first war of Independence”. Indians experienced certain issues at the end of 200 years where the Indian economy was the reason of major concern. The economy was subjected to “unemployment”, “low per capita income”, “low capital formation”, “low investment level”, “shattered small industries structure” and “high death and birth rates”. This sort of problem has led the Indians to think of “growing nationalism” which was a huge confrontation for them. British rule has led to “growing nationalism” through two mediums. The “cause to confront the British” is because of the interference of British policy and the struggle started to make the country free from British rule. “Impact of Confrontation” was severe on the Indian people where they had to undergo certain issues and the British were not ready to leave power.

Growing Nationalism: Overview

Nationalism is regarded as the feeling of common consciousness and oneness that is reflected in the people who used to live in the common territory and share history, culture, values and common language. Certain factors of “growing nationalism” in India were fostered such as “economic exploitation”, “socio-religious reform movements”, “impact of western education”, and “role of press and newspaper”. The Indians faced huge problems during British rule where they were not equally treated and respected which created an urge of “growing nationalism” among them. British rule was an extremely oppressive and cruel regime that is responsible for the estimated death of more than 1.8 billion Indians. The economic wealth of the country was richer before the emergence of British rule in India. This realisation created many reformers to fight and confront the British rule which led to “growing nationalism”.

Cause to confront British

The exploitation of British rule “enraged” the Indians and among the many reasons, some of the “causes to confront British” are mentioned below:

• Unification of politics: India was politically stable and unified under the rule of the British which led to “administrative unity” in the country. The administrative framework formed an awareness regarding the independence that belongs to them which led to “growing nationalism”
• Effect of western education: The British had educated the mass of Indians who would serve the British as their faithful servant. The English community had educated the Indians to be the “Indian nationalism’s torch-bearers” which has aroused the consciousness of nationalism among them
• Improvement in transportation and communication medium: The growth of transportation and mode of communication developed in India has created a sense of imperial interest among the Indians. This is one of the “causes to confront” regarding “growing nationalism”
• Development of vernacular literature: The impact of western education had prompted the educated Indians to represent the facts of freedom, nationalism and liberty through “vernacular literature”. The main motive was to arouse the mass to fight against British rule that was being surcharged by nationalism spirit

Impact of confrontation

• The “impact of confrontation” was mixed for the Indian people who were forced by agriculture commercialisation with the development of multiple cash crops and industries’ raw materials in Britain
• The British had all the capability to monopolise the trade with India. The British rule pulled down India through anything created in India or taxation
• Along with this, the exportation and importation of raw materials had caused a plentiful famine amount
• The British at that time did not try to educate the Indians and kept them uneducated for their own benefit. The illiteracy of Indians had helped them to impose whatever they want to on the Indians

Conclusion

British rule had contributed highly to the Indian economy by developing the transportation and communication medium and implementing the idea of western education. “Growing nationalism” tends to develop more when the Indians understand the “cause to confront”. However, the “impact of confrontation” was not much fruitful for the Indians as they had to undergo multiple tortures. The revolt against British rule was extremely hard and struggled for the Indians. It tends to seem that India was richer and capable of many more things as compared to the time of British rule.Growing nationalism has the motive of maintaining and gaining the sovereignty of a nation over the homeland to make a nation-state.