A. Social Background of Indian Nationalism Indian nationalism is a modern phenomenon that emerged during the British period. It evolved as a result of the action and interaction of numerous subjective and objective forces and factors within Indian society, under the conditions of British rule and the influence of global forces.
The British government, Christian missionaries, and English education were the three main sources of colonial impact on Indian society.
The emergence of national consciousness, the realization of the value of organization, and the importance of agitation led to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. The formation of the Congress laid a strong foundation for Indian nationalism.
KM Pannikkar notes that "the most notable achievement of British rule was the unification of India." This was done inadvertently by the British in the interest of the Indian people. They aimed to spread and consolidate their rule across the country. A similar argument can be made regarding the introduction of Western education, transportation, communication, technology, and judiciary.
Yogendra Singh observes that "the contact of the Indian (Hindu) tradition with the West was of a different and radical sociological significance. Historically, it was a contact between a pre-modern and a modernizing cultural system." The Western tradition brought forth "the scientific and technological worldview based on rationalism, equality, and freedom," posing a serious challenge to the Indian tradition. Hierarchy, the principle of social ranking based on birth in a particular caste group, and holism, the 'organic' interdependence between different caste groups, based on norms relating to the performance of assigned functions and duties by various groups, were significantly affected by the Western tradition.
MN Srinivas defines 'westernization' as the change in Indian society due to the impact of British rule. The areas of change include technology, dress, food, and changes in the habits and lifestyles of people. Westernization occurs at three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Yogendra Singh refers to it as "a new great tradition of modernization." British rule created a new consciousness and structure of values. As observed by Singh, westernization has led to the growth of a universalistic legal superstructure, expansion of education, urbanization, and industrialization, an increased network of communication, and the growth of nationalism and politicization of society. These elements contributed to modernization across the country. The judiciary, law courts, legislation prohibiting child marriage, infanticide, and sati, among others, were enacted.