Chapter 1 – The Union Legislature

Revised Syllabus
• Meaning of the federal setup in India
(i) Lok Sabha – term,composition,qualifications for membership.Parliamentary procedures: a
brief idea of sessions,quorum,question hour,adjournment and no-confidence motion,Speaker-
election and functions of speaker.
(ii) Rajya Sabha- composition,qualifications for membership,election,term,Presiding officer.
• Powers and functions of Union Parliament ( legislative,judicial, financial,electoral and control
over the executive). Exclusive powers of the two houses.
• Procedure for amendment of constitution.
Meaning of federal setup
• In a federal system of government, all the administrative powers are divided between the
Central(union) and the State governments and both are supreme within their respective spheres
according to the constitution.
Term of Lok Sabha
• Normal term – 5 yrs,
• It can be extended by Parliament by one year at a time during proclamation of an
emergency.(National Emergency only). The new Lok Sabha must be elected within 6
months after the national emergency is lifted.
• It can be dissolved before the expiry of its normal term by the President on the
advice of the Prime Minister.
Composition of Lok Sabha
• Maximum strength – 550, out of which
(i) not more than 530 members shall represent the states
(ii) not more than 20 members shall represent the union territories.
Uttar Pradesh is represented in the Lok Sabha by 80 members whereas Mizoram, Nagaland and
Sikkim one each.
Qualifications for lok Sabha Membership
• Should be an Indian Citizen
• Should be at least 25 years of age
• Should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country
• Should not be an insolvent
• Should not hold any office of profit under the government
• Should not be a proclaimed offender
• Should not be of unsound mind
• Should possess other qualification as prescribed by Parliament from time to time.
Parliamentary procedures Sessions
• Meeting of both the house of parliament
• Each house should meet at least twice a year
• The interval between two consecutive sessions should not exceed six months
• Normally there are three sessions- Budget session(feb-may),Monsoon session(july-
august),Winter session(nov-dec)
• President summons each House of Parliament.
Quorum
• It means the minimum number of members required to be present in order to enable
the house to transact its business.
• Quorrum for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is one-tenth of total membership.
• The speaker may adjourn the house for lack of quorum.

Question hour
• First hour of every working day of the lok Sabha which is reserved for questions
unless otherwise decided by the speaker is known as Question Hour.
 • It is intended to keep the functioning of the government open to scrutiny by the
members
• A member of the house may ask questions in matters of public interest
• The right to ask questions from the government is known as interpellation.
Types of questions
• Starred questions- asked by member who wishes to have an oral answer. Such
question are indicated by asterisk mark.
• Unstarred questions- asked by member who wishes to have an written answer
• Short notice questions- relate to matter of public importance. Such questions are
asked with a notice of less than 10 days.It is upto the minister to accept or not to
accept short notice questions.
• Supplementary questions- these are extra questions a member ask when the minister
answers orally. No extra time is given for answering supplementary questions.
Adjournment Motion
• It means a proposal to lay aside all business and take up a matter of urgent
importance.
• Adjournment of the House means suspension of the sitting of the House by the
Speaker.
• It is allowed on subjects such as ;a railway accident,daring dacoity,some natural
calamity like flood,tornado, and communal tension.
• Such a Motion leads to the interruption of normal business of the House.
Other circumstances when speaker can adjourn the house
• After the business for the day is over
• When death of sitting/ex-member of the house occurs
• When there is so much disorder that it is difficult to conduct the business(grave
disorder)
• For want of quorrum
• As and when speaker finds it necessary
No-Confidence Motion
• A No-Confidence Motion is a proposal expressing lack of confidence in the
ministry.
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the entire Lok Sabha including
the members of opposition.
• It is generally moved by the opposition.
• The House grants leave to move No-Confidence Motion only when it has the support
of at least 50 members.
• The motion has to be taken up for discussion within 10 days from the day on which
the leave is granted.
• On conclusion of the debate, the speaker puts the Motion to vote. If the motion is
passed, the government has to resign.
Election of speaker
• Elected among its own members by members of LokSabha soon after newly elected
house meets for the first time
• Elected for term of five years
• Can seek for re-election any number of times,if he is elected as member of the
loksabha.
• Can resign on health grounds by submitting letter of resignation to the deputy speaker
• The speaker can also be removed by the Lok Sabha if the majority of the members
pass a resolution to this effect.

Functions of Speaker
1. Business of the House
 • The speaker presides over the meetings of Lok Sabha.
• All speeches and remarks are addressed to the Speaker.
• He allots time for discussion.
• The Speaker interurets the rules of procedure of the House.His decision in all
parliamentary matters is final.
• All bills passed by the house are signed by him before they are sent to the Rajya
Sabha or President for consideration.
• He puts the issues to vote and announces its results.The Speaker does not vote in the
house, except when there are equal number of votes.(deadlock)
• The speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Billor not.
2. Administrative Functions
• The Speaker receives all documents and petitions in the House.
• He communicates the decisions of the House to the concerned authorities.
• He regulates the admission of visitors and Press correspondents to the galleries of the
House.
3.Disciplinary Functions
• The Speaker maintains order and decorum in the House. When members become
unruly, he may order them to withdraw. He may suspend a member, in case he/she
disregards the authority of the chair.
• In case of grave disorder, he may adjourn the house.
• If the words used by the member are indecent or unparliamentary, the Speaker may
order such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House.
• The Speaker decides whether there is a case for a matter relating to a breach of
privilege or contempt of the House.
• In regard to a question whether a Member stands disqualified under Anti-Defection
Law, the question shall be referred to the decision of the Speaker.
4. Parliamentary Committees
• The Speaker is the ex-officio chairman of Busines Advisory and Rules Committee.
• He appoints chairman of all the Committees of the House.
• He issues directions to the Chairmen in all matters relating to the working and
procedure to be followed.
5. Miscellaneous functions
• The Speaker presides over the joint sessions of both the Houses of Parliament.
• In consultation with the chairmen of Rajya Sabha, he nominates personnel for
Parliamentary Delegations to various countries.
• He presides over the Conference of Presiding Officers of legislative bodies in India.
Rajya Sabha
• Composition
• Maximum members – 250 out of which 238 are elected by elected MLA’s and 12 are
nominated by President from among persons having special knowledge or practical
experience in matters such as literature,science,art and social service.
• Some eminent members who have been nominated by the President to the Rajya
Sabha are Raja Ramanna ( nuclear scientist), Mrinal sen ( film producer), Hema
Malini( actress), kartar singh duggal ( writer) and Nirmala Deshpande ( social
worker), Sachin Tendulkar (sports), etc.
Election
Members of Rajya sabha are elected by
• Elected MLA’s ( members of Legislative Assembly)
• In accordance with system of propotional representation
• By means of single transferrable vote.
* Kindly note first point is sufficient for election but if it is asked for 3 marks then you
have to write all points.
Term
 • Rajya Sabha is a permanent house. It cannot be dissolved like LokSabha.
• Each member of the Rajya Sabha is elected for a period of 6 yrs.
• One-third of the total members of the house retire after every two years.
• Members can be re-elected if they so desire.
Qualifications for Membership for Rajya sabha
• Should be an Indian Citizen
• Should be at least 30 years of age
• Should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country
• Should not be an insolvent
• Should not hold any office of profit under the government
• Should not be a proclaimed offender
• Should not be of unsound mind
Presiding officer
• Vice-President is the ex-officio chairman of Rajya sabha. He presides over its
meetings. He can cast vote only in case of tie or deadlock.
• Rajya Sabha elects deputy chairman from among its members who presides the
meeting in absence of Vice-President.
Powers and Functions of Parliament
• Legislative Powers
• Financial Powers
• Judicial Powers
• Electoral Functions
• Control over Executive
• Other powers
Legislative Powers
• Matters in the Union List – The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws on
100 subjects in union list Ex.Defence,Communications,foreign policy,etc
• Matters in the Concurrent List – along with state legislative assemblies, the
Parliament can make laws on the 52 subjects listed in the concurrent list. If there is a
conflict between the union Parliament and the State Legislature on any law in this list,
the Union law will prevail.
• Residuary powers- It means that it can make laws with respect to all those matters
which are not mentioned in any of the three Lists – the Union List, the State List and
the Concurrent List.
• Amendments – The Parliament has the sole right to amend the constitution.
• Matters in the State List – The Parliament can legislate even on 59 subjects included
in the state list:
(a) During the proclamation of an Emergency
(b) when the Rajya sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority that a subject in state
list assumes national importance
(c) when two or more states request Parliament to legislate on a subject given in State List.
The Act so made is applicable only to that particular states.
• The president is empowered to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in
session. All ordinances must be put up before both the houses for their approval. If
Parliament do not approve the ordinances within six weeks after they
reassemble, it cease to operate.

• During proclamation of state emergency, the Parliament becomes the legislature in the
state concerned and assumes all powers including the financial powers of passing the
state budget.
• All emergency proclaimed by President must be approved by Parliament
Financial Powers
 • Budget – The Parliament passes the Union Budget containing the estimates of income
and expenditure for a financial year. Two budgets- General and Railway budget.
• Supplementary grants – if the amount authorized for the current financial year is not
sufficient, the government may make a fresh demand known as ‘Supplementary
Grant’
• Vote on account- when the budget is not passed by new financial year, there would
be no money for executive to spend. There is, therefore a device known as ‘vote on
account’ which authorize the executive to draw money from consolidated fund until
the budget is passed.
• Salaries- the salaries and allowances of Mp’s and Ministers are determined by
Parliament,
• Permission for taxes- no tax can be imposed without the approval of Parliament.
Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. Once the money bills go the
Rajya Sabha they have to sent back to lok sabha within 14 days. The Loksabha may
accept or reject the recommendations of the Rajya sabha.
Judicial Powers
1. Impeachment of the President
The Parliament has the right to remove the President from office for violation of constitution.
2. Removal of Judges
The Parliament can remove the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts,the Chief
Election Commissioner and the comptroller and Auditor General of India,if they are found
guilty of violating provisions of the constitution.
3. Punishment
The parliament can punish a person for obstructing the work of Parliament or showing
disrespect to the House.
Electoral Functions
• The Parliament of India along with the State Legislatures elects the President of India.
• The Vice-President of India is elected by both the Houses of Parliament.
• The Lok Sabha elects its own Speaker and Deputy Speaker from amongst its own
members while the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman.
• The Parliament of India along with the State Legislatures elects the President of India.
• The Vice-President of India is elected by both the Houses of Parliament.
• The Lok Sabha elects its own Speaker and Deputy Speaker from amongst its own
members while the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman.

Control over Executive

• Interpellation – The questions are asked to obtain information on matter of public
importance or to highlight a grievance.it is a valuable device against injustice and
slackness of the government.
• Question Hour, Calling Attention Notices and Half-an-Hour Discussio9n are some of
the devices to seek information from the government.

Vote of no-Confidence
• If a government acts against the constitutional provisions, it can be voted out by
passing a vote of no-confidence against the prime minister, or the ministry as a whole
or against any of its members. In such a case whole ministry has to resign.
Adjournment motion
 • It is aimed at censuring the acts of omission and commission of the ministries.
• Ex. Death of several persons due to consumption of unlicensed liquor.
• Killing of senior IPS officer in place of worship
Other motion of census
• Parliament also can exercise its control over the government by other motions
which,if passed,amounts of no-confidence.
• Ex- rejection of government bill, passing of private member bill against the
wishes of government, motions of censure against a minister., etc
Monetary Controls
• During the budget session a cut motion may be moved.
• Parliamentary committee on public accounts ensures that public money is spent in
accordance with parliaments decision.
• It examines the reports of comptroller and auditor-general of India.
Other Powers
• The Parliamentmay alter the name or boundaries of the State if needed, it can also
form a new State by merging the territories of existing States or by separating a part
of a territory from a State.
• It makes laws regarding the composition,jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme
Court.
• The Parliament may establish a common High Court, for two or more states.
Exclusive power of rajya sabha
1. Under article 249,the Rajya sabha, may by a resolution adopted by two-thirds
majority, empower the parliament should make laws with respect to matter in the
state list.
2. It may declare creation of new All-India services be made in the national interest.
3. If loksabha is dissolved before or after the declaration of National Emergency,the
rajya sabha takes over the function of parliament.it cannot be dissolved by President.
4. Motions of no-confidence against the government can only be introduced and passed
in lok sabha.
5. Money bills can be introduced only in Lok sabha and if passed,Rajya sabha can
deliberate on it only for 14 days.
6. In case of deadlock between the two houses over ordinary bill,the will of loksabha
prevails as its strength is more than double the membership of Rajya Sabha.
7. Adjournment Motion can only be introduced and passed in Lok Sabha.
Procedure for Amendment of constitution
• Both the House of Parliament can amend the constitution.
• Three steps involved in amending constitution are
a) The amendment must be passed by a majority of total membership; and
b) By a two-third majority of members present and voting.
c) In Some cases the amendment requires the ratification or approval of half of the
legislative assemblies of states.
 1. The First War of
Independence,1857(Indian Historians)
REVOLT OF 1857
SEPOY MUTINY( British Historians)
THE GREAT UPRISING OF 1857
Revised Syllabus
Only the causes ( political, socio-religious, economic and military) and consequences will
be tested.

Causes
• P- POLITICAL
• R- RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL
• E - ECONOMIC
• M - MILITARY
1. Political Causes

• 1. Policy of Expansion
By Outright Wars
Battle of Plassey(1757)
Battle of Buxar (1764) – Masters of Bengal,Bihar and Odisha.
Anglo-Mysore Wars(1767-1799) – Annexed most of the territories of Mysore
Maratha Wars(Peshwa’s dominion and entire maratha territory North and South of
Narmada river were acquire)
Sikh Wars – Punjab was annexed.
Policy of Annexation
1.Subsidiary Alliance System(Lord Wellesley)
1. Accepting British as Supreme Power
2. Surrendered their foreign relations to the East India Company
3. Accept a British resident at their headquarters
4. Not to employ any European without consulting the company.
5. Agreed to maintain British troops at their own cost
6. Virtually lost their Independence.
2.Doctrine of lapse( Lord Dalhousie)
• Under this policy, heirs adopted without the consent of the company, could inherit only the
private property of the deceased ruler and not his territory, which would come under the
Company’s rule.

• Satara,Jhansi,Jaitpur,Sambalpur,Udaipur and Nagpur were victims of this doctrine.

3.Maladministration
• Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1856 on the pretext of alleged misrule.
-Effects of Annexation
• Thousands of nobles, officials and soldiers were thrown out of employment.
• They had to pay higher land revenue and additional taxes on food, houses and ferries.
• The British confiscated the estates of the taluqdars or zamindars.
2. Disrespect shown to Bahadur Shah

• In 1849 , Lord Dalhousie announced successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar would not be
permitted to use the Red Fort as their palace.
• In 1856, lord Canning announced after that after the death of Bahadur Shah, his
successors would not be allowed to use imperial titles with their names and would be
known as mere princes.
3. Treatment given to Nana Saheb and Rani laxmi Bai
• British refused to grant nana saheb the pension they were paying to Baji rao II
• Nana Saheb was forced to live at Kanpur, far away from his family seat at Poona.
• Nana Saheb was not acknowledged as legal heir as he was the adopted son of Baji Rao
II.
• Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, became a bitter enemy of the British as her adopted son was
not accepted as the legal heir to the throne.
4. Absentee Sovereignty of the British

• It means that India was ruled by the British Government from England, at a
distance of thousand of miles.

• In case of Britain, the Indians felt that their wealth was being drained to England
and not utilised for their welfare.
2. Socio-Religious causes
• Interference with Social Customs
i. Abolition of sati(1829)
ii. Introduction of widow remarriage Act(1856)
iii. iii. Opening of western education to girls were not welcomed by masses.
iv. Female infanticide
All these changes were not welcomed by masses.
Apprehensions about modern Innovations
• People were suspicious about introduction of modern innovations like telegraph and
railways.
• There were rumours that telegraph poles were erected to hang those Indians who were
against British rule.
• Similarly they believed that in railway compartments the higher castes and lower castes
were made to sit side by side.
• Policy of racial discrimination
 • Corruption in administration
• Oppression of the poor

• Activities of Missionaries
In 18th century the British showed a friendly attitude towards Indian religions. They had no
zeal for their own religion and even acted as trustee of some Hindu temples.
However in 19th century it underwent some change
a. The British began to interfere in the local religious and social customs
b. They denounced idol worship and social customs
c. After 1813, there was an increase both in numbers and activities of the Christian
missionaries. Indians thought the Government was supporting missionaries who
would convert them to Christianity.
Fears regarding western education

• In 1829, the Bengal government established an English class in Calcutta madrasa,

which was a Muslim Institution.
• English language was introduced in Benaras Sanskrit College.
• The shift from oriental learning to western education was not received well by the
people especially the pandits and maulvis.
• People stated suspecting that western education was not to promote literature but to
encourage their children to become Christians.
Taxing religious places
• Religious sentiments were hurt by the official policy of taxing religious places like temples
and mosques.Such lands were exempted from taxation by previous Indian rulers.
Law of property
• The religious disabilities act of 1850 enabled a convert from Hinduism to other religions to
inherit the property of the father.
3. Economic Causes
Exploitation of economic resources
i. India was forced to export raw materials like raw cotton and raw silk at cheaper
rates.
ii. India was forced to accept readymade goods either duty-free or at nominal duty
rates.
iii. Indian goods were unable to compete with machine made British products which in
turn ruined the Indian industry and deprived the artisans their income.
Drain of wealth

• Till battle of plassey, european traders used to bring gold into India to buy Indian
cotton and silk.
• After conquest of Bengal, they began to purchase raw materials from the surplus
revenues of Bengal and profits from duty-fee inland trade.

• The transfer of wealth from India to England in which India got no

proportionate return is called drain of wealth.
 Decay of cottage industries and handicrafts
• Heavy duties on Indian goods and cotton textiles in Britain destroyed Indian Industries.
On the other hand, British goods were imported into India at a nominal duty.
• By the end of 19th century, export of cotton and silk goods from India practically ceaesd.
• The art of spinning and weaving which had given employment for artisans become
extinct.
• British goods were imported to India at a nominal duty
Economic decline of peasantry

• The peasants were discontent with the official land revenue policy and the consequent
loss of their land.
• The land revenue was the double the amount collected under the Mughals. Not even a
part of this revenue was spent on the development of agriculture or on the welfare of
cultivator.
• Increase in land revenue forced many farmers into indebtedness or into selling their
lands.
• The traditional zamindars were replaced by landowners and moneylenders who pushed
rents to exorbitant and evicted their tenants in case of non-payment.
Growing unemployment

• Thousands of soldiers and officials in administrative became unemployed because

british policy excluded Indians from higher posts.
• The traditional rulers had given financial support to scholars, preachers and men of
arts. The coming of Britishers led to the decline of such rulers and gradually their patronage
came to an end.
Inhuman treatment of Indigo cultivators
• The peasants were forced to grow Indigo in the fields chosen by British planters. If
they grow anything else, their crops were destroyed and cattle's were taken as
punishment.
Poverty and famines
i. There were 12 major and various minor famines between 1765 and 1857.British
government did nothing to lessen people’s misery.
ii. British economic exploitation, decay of cottage industries, high taxation, the drain
of wealth, stagnation of agriculture reduced the Indians to extreme poverty.
Decline of landed aristocracy
• According to Inam Commission, 20000 estates were confiscated when landlords failed
to produce evidence like title-deeds.

• Such estates were purchased by moneylenders and merchants who never understand the
needs of tenants and exploited them.

• This drove the landed aristocracy to poverty.

4. Military Causes
• Ill-treatment of Indian soldiers
i. The Indians soldiers were poorly paid, ill fed and badly housed.
ii. The military authorities forbade the sepoys from wearing caste or sectarian marks,
beards or turbans and they showed disregard for the sentiment of the sepoys.
General service enlistment act
• In 1856, Lord Canning passed General Service Enlistment Act.As per this act, Indian
soldiers could be sent overseas on duty.
• The Brahmin soldiers saw in this a danger to their caste.

• It was a taboo for Brahmins to cross the seas.

Larger proportions of Indians in British army
• The number of British troops was never very large with british in the ratio as low as one
in four thousand.

• Thus it made easier for the large number of Indian soldiers to take up arms against the
british.
Bleak prospects of promotion
i. Irrespective of their performance Indian soldiers could not rise above the rank of the
Subedar.
ii. The future of Indian soldiers was bleak without chances of promotion.

Deprivation of allowances for Indian soldiers

i. They were required to serve in areas away from their homes without extra payment
and additional bhatta(foreign service allowance)
ii. The post office act of 1854 withdrew the privilege of free postage free enjoyed by
the sepoys.
Faulty distribution of troops
• Places of strategic importance like delhi,allahabad had no british soldiers.
• England soldiers were engaged in several wars outside India.(e.g. Iranian war,Crimean
war and Chinese war)

• They were therefore determined to strike at a suitable time.

Lower salaries
• The British soldiers received more than eight times the salary of the Indian soldiers.
Immediate causes

• In 1856, ‘brown Bess’ was replaced by new Enfield rifle.

• The loading process of the Enfield Rifle involved bringing the cartridge to the mouth
and biting off the top greased paper with the teeth.
• In Jan 1857, there was rumour that the greased cartridges had the fat of cow or pig.
• Cow is sacred to Hindus and pig is a taboo to Muslims.
Consequences
1.End of Company’s Rule
• It was done by Government Act of 1858 which had the following provisions
(i) It transferred the power to govern India from the East India company to the British
crown.
(ii) The Company’s Board of control and court of Directors were abolished. The power
was to be exercised by the Secrtetary of State, aided by a 15 member council.The
Secretary of State was a member of British Cabinet and was responsible to the
Parliament.
(iii) Actual governance was to be carried on, as before, by the Governor-General who
was also given the title of Viceroy,that is a personal representative of the
crown.Lord Canning was appointed as the First Viceroy under this Act.
(iv) Appointment to civil services were to be made by open competition under rules
made by the secretary of state.
2.Queen Victoria’s Proclamation
• The Queen’s proclamation incorporating the transfer of governance from East India
Company to the British Crown was made public at Allahabad, on November 1,1858 by
Lord Canning.
i. follow a policy of non-intervention in social and religious matters of Indians;
ii. treat all subjects _ Indians and Europeans _ as equals (education and ability would
be the basis of all appointments);
iii. grant a general pardon to all those who had taken part in the War except those who
were guilty of murder of British subjects;
iv. do its best to advance the industries in India; and
v. Promotes work of public utility in India so as to ensure the material as well as the
moral progress of the people.
3. End of Mughals and Peshwas

• With the death of Bahadur Shah II, who was deported to Yangon, the Mughal dynasty
came to an end.

• Nana saheb, the last Peshwa, had taken an active part and had fled to Nepal after the
failure of the uprising. So the office of Peshwa came to an end.
4.Relations with Princely States

• The Policy of Annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse were abandoned.

• Some of the Indian princes had remained loyal to the British and had helped them in
suppressing the uprising. Their loyalty was rewarded with the announcement that their
right to adopt heirs would be respected and the integrity of their territories guaranteed
against future annexation.
5.Policy of Divide and Rule
• After 1858, the British continued their policy of ‘divide and rule’ by turning the princes
against the people, province against province, caste against caste, group against group
and above all, Hindus against Muslims.

• The Government cleverly used the attractions of government service to create a split
along religious lines among educated Indians.
6.Racial Antagonism

• Railway compartments,parks,hotels,clubs,etc., reserved for ‘Europeans only’ were visible

manifestations of this racialism.
 7.Foreign Policy
• India’s foreign policy was dictated by the interests of the British Government. It
fulfilled the two aims of the British –(a) protection of its Indian empire and (b)
expansion of British economic and commercial interests in Asia and Africa.

• The cost of implementation of policies was borne by the Indians.

8.Increased Racial Bitterness
9.Religious Changes
• The British rulers declared emphatically their policy of non-interference in the religious
affairs, customs and traditions of the Indians.
10.Changes in the Army
i. The strength of European troops was increased. The ratio of
European to Indian troops was fixed at 1:2 ( Bengal army) and 2:5
(Madras and Bombay armies)
ii. European troops were kept in key geographical and military positions.
iii. To desist the Indian soldiers from rising again against the British rule, the
sophisticated weapons and ammunitions were never placed under the charge of
the Indians.
iv. Discrimination on the basis of caste, region and religion was practiced in the
recruitment to the army.
v. In order to discourage nationalism, measures such as introduction of caste and
community in most regiments were taken.
vi. Newspapers, journals were prevented from the reach of Indian soldiers to keep them
separated from rest of the population.
11. Economic Exploitation

i. India was turned into a typical colonial economy, exporting raw material and
importing finished goods.
ii. The salary and allowances of the Secretary of State and members of the India
Council, the civil servants and military officers were a large drain on the country’s
resources.
iii. Peasants were impoverished under the British rule.
iv. Rural artisan industries such as handicrafts, spinning and weaving collapsed.
12.Rise of Nationalism
• The sacrifices made by revolutionaries like Rani Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal
Pandey served as source of inspiration for the future freedom fighters.
13.Widening of the Gulf between Hindus and Muslims
• During the First War of Independence, both the Hindus and Muslims showed great
enthusiasm and zeal to fight against the alien government.
• But after the uprising, the gulf between two communities widened. This was the
consequence of British policy of ‘Divide and rule’ and a deliberative attempt of British
so that the two communities might never come together to pose a threat to British Rule.
 2. Growth of Nationalism
Revised Syllabus
• Economic Exploitation
• Repressive colonial policies
• Socio-religious reform movements (brief mention of contribution of Raja rammohan Roy and
Jyotiba Phule) and
• Role of press.
• Precursors of Indian National Congress
• Indian National Congress- Immediate objectives of the Indian National Congress – the first
two sessions and their presidents should be mentioned
Meaning of Nationalism
• Feeling of oneness and common consciousness that emerge from people living in a common
territory that share the same historical, political and cultural background,have the same,
cultural values and consider themselves as one nation.
• Nationalism also denotes patriotism, love for one’s own country.
Economic Exploitation
• The Indians realised that the general aim of British policies in India was to promote their
own interests at the cost of welfare of Indians.
i. The Peasants: The government took away a large part of their produce in the
form of land revenue and other taxes.
ii. The Artisans and craftsmen: India become a supplier of raw materials and a
market for British finished goods.
iii. The Working Class: The growth of modern industries led to birth of a new class- the
working class. They were exploited by the factory owners, who were generally
Englishmen.
iv. The Educated Indians: The only empl;oyment available to the educated Indians was
government service in which competition was high and chances of promotion were bleak.
Repressive colonial policies of Lord Lytton

(i) Lord Lytton organised a Grand Delhi Durbar in1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria
as the Empress of India. Lakhs of rupees were spent on the event but nothing was
done for Indians who were in the grip of famine.
(ii) Lord Lytton introduced the Vernacular Press act(1878) and Indian Arms
Act(1878).
The Vernacular Press Act forbade vernacular papers to publish any material that might
incite feelings of dissatisfaction against the British Government. In 1882 this Act was
repealed by Lord Ripon.
The Indian Arms Act made it a criminal offence for Indians to carry arms without
licence.This Act was not applicable to the British.
(iii) The maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Service examination was reduced
from 21 to 19 years,thus ,making it difficult for Indians to compete for it.
(iv) The import duties on British textiles were removed.

Socio-Religious Reform movements

Raja Rammohan Roy

-In 1828,founded Brahmo sabha which was later renamed as Brahmo Samaj.
 Main teaching of Brahmo Samaj is Monotheism(Belief in one God)

-He was against the rigidity of caste system

• Started campaign for the abolition of sati and purdah system, condemned polygamy,
discouraged child marriage and advocated the right of widows to remarry.
• It was because of his efforts sati was legally banned in 1829 by Lord William Bentinck
• Known as ‘Father of Indian Renaissance and the prophet of Indian Nationalism’.
Additional Contribution of Raja
Rammohan Roy
• In 1814,started Atmiya Sabha and carried on persistent struggle against idol worship and
meaningless religious rituals.
• To raise the status of women,he demanded that they be given the right to in heritance and
property.
• Started a bengali weekly called the ‘samwad kaumudi’ in 1821.
• Started a paper in persian called ‘Mirat-ulAkhbar’
• Wrote a book ‘Gift to Monothesis’
Jyotiba Phule
Upliftment of Untoucables
• In 1854 established a school for untouchables Founded Satya Sodhak Samaj in 1873
• Wrote many books like ‘Tales of Untouchables’
• Wrote famous book ‘Ghulamgiri’ to describe the hardships and distress felt by the lower
castes.
Additional Contribution of Jyotiba
Phule
Upliftment of Women
• In 1851, Jyotiba Phule along with his wife started one of the first girls school in Pune.
• In 1854 started private orphanage for widows.
• Pioneered widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra and worked for the education
of
women
Role of the Press
• Amrit Bazar Patrika,The Bengali,The Tribune,The pioneer,The Times of India,The
Hindu and the statesman in English
• It was through press the message of patriotism and modern ideas of
liberty,equality,home rule and independence spread among people.
• Carried on daily criticism of unjust policies of British
Government
• Exposed the true nature of British
• Made possible the exchange of views among different social groups
• Made Indians aware of what was happening in the world.
 Precursors of Indian National Congress

• East India Association: It was founded in London in 1866 by Dadhabhai Naoroji.He

was the opinion that the British were basically just and good. He wanted to place the
true state of affairs in India before people of England so that the grievances of Indians
may be removed.
• Indian Association 1876: it was headed by surendranath Banerjee. The Association had
lawyers,professionals and educated middle class as its members.
Formation of INC
• Initiative taken by A.O.Hume, a retired British member of Indian Civil Service.
• Wrote letters to graduates of calcutta University to dedicate themselves to service of
people by forming a union to organise a well-defined course of action.
• In 1884 Hume, in consultation with the Indian leaders laid the foundation of Indian
National Union
• First session in Gokuldas Tejpal sanskrit College from dec 2831,1885.
• On the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji the name of union was changed to Indian
National Congress
• Lord Dufferin was also in favour for formation of Indian National Congress because it
would act as safety-valve for popular discontent,thereby safeguarding the british rule
and its interest in India.
Aims of Indian National Congress
Short Keyword (PDFT)
• To promote friendly relations between nationalist workers from different parts of the
country;
• To devolop and consolidate the feelings of national unity irrespective of caste,religion
or province;
• To formulate popular demands and present them before the government;
• To train and organise public opinion in the country
Sessions of INC
• First – 1885 – Mumbai – W.C. Bonnerjee
• Second – 1886 – Kolkata – Dadabhai Naoroji
 3.First Phase of the Indian National Movement (1885-1907)
Reduced Syllabus

• Objectives and methods of struggle of the

Early Nationalists. Any two contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee
and
Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
INC – Three Phases

• The Early Nationalist Phase/Moderate (18851907)

• The Assertive Phase/Radicals ( 1907-1916)
• The Gandhian Era ( 1915- 1947)
Objectives of Early Nationalists

• Self-Government within British Empire

• To educate people in India in modern politics
• To arouse a national political consciousness
• To create a united public opinion
• To influence the British government and the British public.
Methods of Early Nationalists

• First set of Methods

1. Held meetings
2. Speeches were made
3. Resolutions for popular demands were passed
4. Made use of Press to criticise government policies
5. Sent memorandums and petitions to government officials
Second set of methods

1. Use of three P’s – Petitions,Prayers and protests

2. British Committee of the Indian National Congress was setup in London in 1889.
3. Deputations of Indian leaders were sent to Britain.
4. Published a weekly journal ,India’, to present India’s case before the British Public.
Contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji
1. India’s unofficial Ambassador
• In 1865, he founded the London India Society in collaboration with W.C. Bonnerjee
to publicize grievances of Indians
• First Indian to become member of the British House of Commons
• It was due to his efforts that in 1893 the house of commons passed a resolution in
favor of holding I.C.S. examination In England and India simultaneously.
• In 1866, he founded the East India Association in London.
2. Role in the Congress

• Played an active role in the formation of INC and elected its President thrice, in
1893,1896 and 1906.
• Resolutions on self-government, Boycott, Swadeshi and National Education were
passed by the congress under his Presidentship.(1906)
• The credit of demanding Swaraj from the congress platform for the first time (1906)
goes to him.
3. Exposed the economic ills of India

• His views on Indian economy are given in his work ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in
India’.
• His famous ‘Drain theory’ explained how India’s wealth was being ‘drained’ to England
through various ways.
Additional contribution of Dadabhai Naoroji
• Popularly known as ‘ Grand Old man of India’
• He founded the Bombay Association
• He edited the newspaper ‘Rast Goftar’(Speaker of Truth)
• He started a magazine ‘Dharma Marg darshak’
Contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
1. Persuaded the British for reforms

• Criticised the government on issues such as

– Incurring huge expenditure on the British army

– Adopting the policy of racial discrimination in appointment to high posts

– Imposing production tax on cotton

Other Reforms
• He played an important role in the passage of Minto-Morley Reforms.
• He also served as a member of the Indian Public Service Commission and urged it to
increase the share of Indians in higher services.
2. Servants of India society

• Gokhale setup the Servants of India Society in 1905 to train national leaders who would
dedicate themselves to the service of India.
3. Role as Member of Imperial Legislative Council
• Pleaded for reduction in salt duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods
• His relentless efforts led to the reduction in toll tax
• Tried to introduce a bill to make elementary education compulsory but could not
achieve much success
• Impressed upon government to reduce land revenue
Gokhale and Gandhiji

• Reasons as to why he was called Political Guru of Gandhiji

• Gokhale went to South Africa where he helped Gandhiji in his fight against racial
discrimination.
• The credit of persuading Gandhiji to return to India and join public life also goes to
gokhale. Infact,Ganhiji accepted Gokhale as his ‘political mentor’.
Additional Contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• He went to England to propagate Indian views before the welby commission on behalf
of Deccan Education society.
• He was awarded the title of C.I.E ( Companion of the Indian Empire)
Contributions of Surendranath Banerjee
1. Established the Indian association in 1876 to educate people, to create strong
public opinion and to arouse political consciousness and unity.
2. Created an All-India Political Organisation Indian National Conference which
merged with INC in 1886
3. Political ideas

• Edited a newspaper, Bengalee

• His book, Nation in the Making gives an account of his political concern.
• Started agitation against Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act and against lowering the
maximum age for appearing in ICS Examination from 21 to 19.
• Opposed Minto-Morley Reforms and Partition of Bengal.
Additional Contribution of
Surendranath Banerjee
• He set up his own school which later developed to Ripon college.
• Got elected to Calcutta corporation and remained its member for 2 decades.
• He was elected to the Bengal Legislative council four times. First Indian to be the
Governor of Bengal.
• First Indian to qualify for the Indian Civil service examination.
• Popularly known as Father of Indian Nationalism.
• He started agitation against Arms Act, Vernacular Press act,Minto-Morley Reforms of
1909,
• He also opposed Partition of Bengal.
 4. Second Phase of the Indian
National Movement(1905-1916)

5. Partition of Bengal
Revised Syllabus

• Brief mention of the causes of the Partition of Bengal and its perspective by the Nationalists.
• Brief mention of Surat split of 1907.
• Objectives and methods of struggle of the Radicals.
• Any two contributions of Bal Gangadhar Tilak,Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Comparsion between Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists.
Scheme of partition (Not in syllabus but given to you to understand how Bengal was
partitioned)

• West Bengal – western districts of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Population – 54 million.Capital
– Calcutta

• East Bengal – Eastern districts of bengal,Assam.Population – 31 million.

Capital – Dacca.
Causes of Partition of Bengal(According to Lord curzon)
What reason were given by Lord Curzon/British rulers for partitioning Bengal?
1.The main and the real reason for partioning Bengal,according to Lord Curzon was
administrative neccessity.
2. Bengal was too large to be administered efficiently by a single provincial government.
Bengal had a large population of about 85 million.
Causes of Partition of Bengal(Nationalist View)
What was the real reason or reasons given by nationalist leaders for partitioning
Bengal?
1.Bengal was the nerve centre of Indian nationalism. So they tried to stop the rising tide of
nationalism by partitioning Bengal.
2. The Partition of the state was intended to curb Bengali influence in Bengal itself.
3. The Partition was meant to foster division on the basis of religion. East Bengal would
be predominantly a Muslim majority state and West Bengal would have a Hindu majority.

Surat Split,1907

• The dispute between the two wings of the government were not resolved and by the
Presidentship of Dadabhai Naoroji, the goal of congress was changed from self-
government to Swaraj and permission were granted to adopt swadeshi and boycott to
achieve their aims.
• They surfaced again in the next session in 1907 at
Surat. The Assertive Nationalists proposed the name of Lala Lajpat Rai whereas Early
Nationalists proposed the name of Rashbehari Ghosh. When the session started at
Surat,there was utter confusion. This led to the split and Assertive nationalist were
expelled. For 9 years they remained out of congress.
 Objectives of Asertive nationalists
• Immediate attainment of Swaraj – complete independence and not just self-government.
Methods of Assertive Nationalists
• 1. Swadeshi – It means producing necessary items in one’s own country and using them for
one’s use without being dependent on imported goods.
• 2. Boycott – refuse to buy foreign goods. Swadeshi and boycott are two sides of the same
coin. To encourage Indian industries and provide opportunities for employment.
• 3. National Education – A national scheme was planned to replace government controlled
universities and colleges. A large number of national schools were established in East
bengal.Some examples of National school and colleges.
Bengal National college – Kolkata Pachaiyappa National college – Chennai
D.A.V Movement – Punjab.
• 4. Passive Resistance – It means adopting the policy of non-violent resistance and vigorous
political action. They advocate courage, selfconfidence and spirit of sacrifice to achieve the
goal of swaraj.
• 5. Revivalism
• 6. Personal sacrifices
• 7. Mass involvement
Comparison between Early Nationalist and Assertive Nationalist

Early Nationalists Assertive Nationalist

1. The Early Nationalists wanted self- The Assertive Nationalist wanted nothing
government within British empire short of Swaraj or Independence.
2.They believed in constitutional methods 2. They believed in assertive or aggressive
methods.
3. They held good positions under the 3. They denounced British rule and defied
British Government. it.
4. They received support from the 4. They drew the support from the masses.
intelligentsia.
5. They were inspired by the ideas of 5. They drew their inspiration from India’s
western philosophers. past.

Contributions of Bal Gangadhar Tilak

• 1. Demand for Swaraj – Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.

• Organised akharas and lathi clubs where physical training was imparted.
• 2. Preached Nationalism – promoted Shivaji and Ganapati festival to propogate nationalist
ideas.
• Two newspapers – Mahratta ( English) and kesari(Marathi)
• Two books – the Gita Rahasya and The Arctic Home of the Vedas.
• Established Home Rule league and its headquarters was setup in Pune in 1916.
Reasons as to why Tilak is called “Forerunner of Gandhiji”?
• 1. Tilak’s idea of swaraj was akin to Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of complete independence.
• 2. Tilak sought close contact with the masses as Mahatma Gandhi did.
• 3. Tilak preached the idea of Swadeshi,Boycott and prohibition.These ideas were preached
and followed by mahatma Gandhi.
• 4. Tilak had to suffer several terms of imprisonment for sake of the country, an example
followed by Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalist leaders.
Additional contribution of Bal
Gangadhar Tilak
• Known as ‘Father of the Assertive Nationalism’
• Founded Poona New English School
• Deccan Education Society was founded by him under Justice Ranade’s guidance
• The society setup many educational institutions including famous Fergusson College at Pune.
• First nationalist leader who sought close contact with masses.

Contribution of Bipin Chandra Pal(1858-1932)

• 1. Role as Journalist – worked for Bengal public opinion, The Tribune and New India to
proagate nationalism. He was required to give testimony against Aurobindo Ghose which he
refused for which he was arrested and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
• 2. National Education - promote nationalistic passions
• 3. Social and economic reforms – a. opposed caste system
• b. advocated widow remarriage
• c. educating women
• d. preached use of swadeshi and boycott of foreign goods
• E. demanded 48 hours of works in a week.
Additional contribution of Bipin Chandra Pal
• Known as ‘Father of Revolutionary Thought in India’.

Contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai

1. An Educationist and a forceful writer – started monthly magazine ‘young india’.
• Publications – The call to young India, England’s Debt to India and The Political Future of
India.
• Newspaper – Punjabi,Vande Mataram (Urdu daily) and People (English weekly)
• Book – National Education.
2. A social reformer
• Expansion 0f D.A.V. College at lahore.
• Opened orphanages, hospitals and schools.
• Setup Servants of the Peoples society for welfare of downtrodden and outcastes.
5. Political work outside India

• 1914 – joined Ghadar Party in America.

• Died while protesting against simon commission . ‘Lathi blows inflicted on me
would prove some day as nails in the coffin of the British Empire’.
Additional contribution of Lala Lajpat Rai
• Popularly known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ or ‘Sher-ePunjab’.
• In 1920 became the first President of All India Trade Union Congress.
 Chapter 6 - The Muslim League

Chapter 7 –Lucknow Pact Revised Syllabus

• Factors leading to the formation of the Muslim League and its objectives.
• Significance of Lucknow Pact
Factors leading to the Formation of Muslim League
1. Loss of Sovereignty by Mughal Rulers The British established their supremacy in India
by dethroning the Mughal rulers who were the followers of Islam. Therefore, the Muslim
became bitter enemies of the British. Muslims took part in Wahabi movement and also the
great uprising of 1857 with the aim of dethroning British Government.
2. British Policy of Divide and Rule:
To check the growth of a united nation and to encourage communal feelings, British decided
to follow the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’.
i. In 1871, Lord Mayo’s government adopted a resolution which made Urdu the
medium of instruction for Muslims and increased government aid to educational
institutions run by the Muslims.
ii. They tried to create hatred among the Hindus and Muslims by portraying Muslim
rulers as plunderers, and Hindu rulers as cruel kings to their Muslim subjects.
iii. They tried to justify the Partition of Bengal by convincing the Muslims that Bengal
was partitioned to create a new Muslim majority province where Hindus would not
be able to subvert their intrersts.
iv. They tried to use caste structure to turn the non-brahminsand the lower castes
against high castes.
3.Relative backwardness of the Muslimcommunity in Education,Trade and Industry
• The upper class Muslims comprising zamindars and aristocrats, during the first 70 years
of the 19th century were Anti-British. They were conservative and hostile to modern
education. Because of this, the number of Muslims educated in western system of
education remained small.
• The British government in India had consciously discriminated against the Muslims
after 1858, holding them responsible for the uprising of 1857.
• The Muslim community was not much involved in the growth of any organised
industry. Here too they lagged behind.
• Some members of Muslim community did not keep up with the modern trends in social
and cultural spheres because they were proud of their own literature and culture and did
not adopt western system of education.
4. Role of Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan
• Sayyid Ahmad Khan was a great educationist and a social reformer.
a. He regarded Hindus and Muslims to be one Quam (nation)
b. He founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which had both Hindu
and Muslim patrons.
But he under the influence of Mr.Beck, the British principal of Mohammedan Anglo-oriental
college, in 1880s, gave up his earlier views and declared that the political views of Hindus
and Muslims were different.
a. He founded the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888 with a view to oppose
congress
b. He also felt that if British leave India, the Hindus would dominate Muslims as they
are majority in number. So he requested that if educated Indians would support
British rule, it will be a safeguard for Muslims in India.
 5. Erroneous Interpretation of History

i. Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into the Hindu and
the Muslim Periods. The rule of Turks, Afghans and Mughals was called the
Muslim rule, where the rulers were said to be the followers of Islam and their
subjects, the follower of other religion. In the so-called Hindu period, Muslims
rulers were dubbed as foreign invaders who had settled in India. They portrayed
Rana Pratap and Shivaji as national heroes and Akbar and Aurangazeb as foreigners
and infused communal feelings.
ii. The communal bias was propagated through poetry, drama, novels, short stories,
newspapers ,etc.
iii. They also ignored the notion of a composite culture in two communuities.
6. Rise of Assertive Nationalism

a. The propogation of shivaji and ganapati festivals by Tilak

b. Aurobindo Ghosh’s concept of India as mother and nationalism as religion
c. The initiation of Anti-Partition agitation and dips in the Ganga did not appeal to
some of the Muslims.
7. Economic backwardness of the country
• Due to British colonial policies, India lacked modern industrial development and there
was acute unemployment among the educated youth.
• This led the people to ask reservation in jobs on the basis of caste,creed or religion.
• British used this opportunity to push further their policy to push further their policy of
divide and rule.However, the unemployed people failed to realise that the British
themselves were responsible for the economic backwardness.
8. Hindi-Urdu Controversy

• Urdu was the court language of United Provinces ( present Uttar Pradesh) and some of
the society protested against this practice.
• As a result , On April 8,1900 the government instructed that all petitions to be submitted
in Hindi and the court summons and official announcements to be issued in Hindi as
well as in Urdu. The Muslims resented this.
9. Partition of Bengal

• The purpose of partition was to create a wedge between Hindus and muslims and to
stop the rising tide of nationalism.
• British try to win over the favour of Muslims by giving them a muslim dominated
province.
Formation of Muslim League

• Nawab Salimullah took the initiative. The proposal to form a central organisation for
Muslims was accepted and a political aassociation “All India Muslim League” was set
up on December 30,1906 under the Presidentship of Nawab Salimullah.
• Agha Khan was chosen as the permanent President of the Muslim League.
 • Its headquarters were to be at Aligarh but its central office was shifted to Lucknow.
Aims and objectives of Muslim League Short keyword -PPPP

1. To promote among Muslims of India, support for British Government

2. To remove any misconception regarding the intention of government in relation to
Indian Muslims
3. To protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims and to
represent their needs and aspirations to the government in mild and moderate
language
4. To prevent the rise of hostility between the Muslims of India and other communities.
Significance of Lucknow Pact

• It forged unity between the Hindus and Muslims

• It forged unity between two factions of the congress- Early and Assertive Nationalists.
• The unity pressurised the British to introduce reforms
• Necessity to pacify Indians-The British felt it necessary to pacify Indians by the
declaration of August 20, 1917 whish promised development of self-governing
institutions in India.