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Growth of Nationalism and the Congress ICSE Class 10

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History & CivicsICSE Class 10 · Factors Leading to the Growth of Nationalism

Factors Leading to the Growth of Nationalism and the Founding of the Indian National Congress (ICSE Class 10 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Indian nationalism grew from economic exploitation (the drain of wealth), repressive policies (Lytton's Vernacular Press Act and Arms Act, the Ilbert Bill controversy), socio-religious reform led by Rammohan Roy, Phule, Dayananda and Vivekananda, and the Press. The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by A. O. Hume; its first session at Bombay was presided over by W. C. Bonnerjee and its second at Calcutta by Dadabhai Naoroji.

Notice that five different causes all pointed to one shared grievance against British rule, and that led to the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress

1. Economic exploitation. The drain of wealth (salaries, pensions, interest and profits sent to Britain), explained by Dadabhai Naoroji in *Poverty and Un-British Rule in India*; ruin of handicrafts by machine-made goods; heavy land revenue, debt and famines; tariffs that favoured British manufacture; exclusion of Indians from higher posts. All classes saw British rule as the common cause of poverty.

2. Repressive policies of Lord Lytton (1876-1880).

  • *Grand Delhi Durbar (1877)* to proclaim Queen Victoria Empress while a terrible famine raged.
  • *Vernacular Press Act (1878)*: restricted Indian-language newspapers and allowed seizure of presses; English papers exempt ('Gagging Act').
  • *Arms Act (1878)*: Indians needed licences to carry arms; Europeans were exempt.
  • Lowering of the ICS entry age from 21 to 19.
  • Removal of import duties on British cotton goods.

3. The Ilbert Bill (1883). Under Lord Ripon, Sir Courtenay Ilbert proposed that Indian judges and magistrates could try Europeans. European protest forced a compromise: a European accused could demand a jury of at least half Europeans. Indians learnt that the British would not accept equality, and that organised agitation could move the government. It was a Ripon measure, not Lytton's.

4. Reformers (any two contributions of each).

  • *Raja Rammohan Roy:* founded the Brahmo Samaj (1828); campaigned against sati (banned 1829); backed Western education, women's property rights and a free press.
  • *Jyotiba Phule:* opened a girls' school in Pune (1848) with Savitribai; founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (1873); wrote *Gulamgiri*; supported widow remarriage.
  • *Swami Dayananda Saraswati:* founded the Arya Samaj (1875), 'Go back to the Vedas'; opposed idol worship, caste rigidity, child marriage; promoted women's education and DAV schools; wrote *Satyarth Prakash*.
  • *Swami Vivekananda:* founded the Ramakrishna Mission (1897); spoke at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago (1893); condemned untouchability; taught service to the poor.

5. The Press. The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Bengalee, Kesari, Maratha and Indian Mirror criticised injustice, spread ideas of liberty and self-government, linked people across regions, carried news of freedom movements abroad, shaped public opinion and publicised nationalist leaders.

6. The Indian National Congress. Founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, with Indian support. *First session:* Bombay, December 1885, president W. C. Bonnerjee, 72 delegates. *Second session:* Calcutta, 1886, president Dadabhai Naoroji. *Immediate objectives:* friendly relations among workers from different parts; national unity irrespective of caste, religion or province; formulate popular demands and present them to the government; train and organise public opinion.

Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress: key facts

Lytton's policies
  • Grand Delhi Durbar 1877
  • Vernacular Press Act 1878
  • Arms Act 1878
  • ICS age cut to 19
  • Cotton duties removed
Five measures.
Reformers and societies
RammohanBrahmo Samaj 1828
PhuleSatyashodhak Samaj 1873
DayanandaArya Samaj 1875
VivekanandaRamakrishna Mission 1897
Four societies.
Congress
  • Founded 1885
  • Founder A. O. Hume
  • First session Bombay, Bonnerjee
  • Second session Calcutta 1886, Naoroji
Facts.
Viceroys
Lytton 1876-80 | Ripon: Ilbert Bill 1883
Do not swap.

How to answer Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress questions

Expect: Lytton's policies (4-5 marks), contributions of two named reformers (4 marks), the role of the Press (4 marks), and the Congress founder, sessions and objectives (3-4 marks).

  1. 1For any two contributions, name the society and one reform.
  2. 2For Lytton, name the Acts and year.
  3. 3Put the Ilbert Bill under Ripon.
  4. 4For the Congress, give year, founder, sessions and presidents.

Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Unequal rule

Suppose a school allows students from one house to carry bags into the library but searches students from another house, and bans the second house's magazine while leaving the first house's magazine free.

Which policies of the time does this resemble, and how did Indians respond?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Different rules for different groups resemble the Arms Act and Vernacular Press Act.
  2. They felt the unfairness.
  3. They began to organise together.

Answer: It resembles the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act; such unfairness led Indians to unite and form organisations such as the Congress.

Memory hook: Unequal rules unite the wronged.

Giving a voice

Imagine a school newspaper that reports a complaint from one class and is read by other classes, so that all begin to demand a better canteen together.

Which feature of the nationalist period does it resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. News spreads across groups.
  2. People find shared grievances.
  3. Public opinion grows.

Answer: It resembles the role of the Press, which linked people of different regions and built public opinion.

Memory hook: News links, opinion builds.

Tricks to remember Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • L-V-A-D

    Lytton: Durbar, Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act, ICS age.

    Use it when: Lytton's policies.

  • B-S-A-R

    Brahmo, Satyashodhak, Arya, Ramakrishna.

    Use it when: Four societies.

  • H-B-N

    Hume founded, Bonnerjee presided first, Naoroji second.

    Use it when: Congress sessions.

Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Congress founder · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Who founded the Indian National Congress, in which year, and who presided over its first session? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A. O. Hume (1 mark).
  2. 1885 (1 mark).
  3. W. C. Bonnerjee (1 mark).

Answer: The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, and its first session at Bombay was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.

Example 2: Reformer · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

State any two contributions of Raja Rammohan Roy. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Brahmo Samaj (1 mark).
  2. Campaign against sati (1 mark).

Answer: He founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 and campaigned against sati, which was banned in 1829.

Example 3: Lytton · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain any three repressive policies of Lord Lytton. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Three policies, 1 mark each.

Answer: The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 restricted Indian-language newspapers while English papers were exempt. The Arms Act of 1878 required Indians to have a licence to carry arms, though Europeans were exempt. The ICS entry age was lowered from 21 to 19, making it harder for Indians to enter.

Example 4: Role of the Press · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Discuss the role of the Press in the growth of nationalism in India. [6]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Any six points, 1 mark each.

Answer: Newspapers such as The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Bengalee and Kesari criticised unjust government policies and exposed economic exploitation and racial discrimination. They spread ideas of liberty, self-government and patriotism and linked people in different provinces, creating a feeling of unity. They carried news of freedom movements abroad, built public opinion, publicised the work of nationalist leaders and were read aloud to people who could not read.

Example 5: Case: the Ilbert Bill · 6 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case. Under a Viceroy, a bill is proposed to let Indian magistrates try Europeans. European groups protest and the government changes the bill. (i) Name the bill and the Viceroy. [1] (ii) State the compromise reached. [1] (iii) What did Indians learn from this? [2] (iv) Why is it wrong to put this among Lytton's policies? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Ilbert Bill; Lord Ripon (1 mark).
  2. (ii) A European accused could ask for a jury with at least half Europeans (1 mark).
  3. (iii) British would not accept equality; agitation can work (2 marks).
  4. (iv) It came under Ripon, in 1883 (2 marks).

Answer: (i) The Ilbert Bill, under Lord Ripon. (ii) A European accused could demand a jury of which at least half were Europeans. (iii) Indians learnt that the British would not treat them as equals and that organised agitation could force the government to change course. (iv) The bill was introduced in 1883 under Lord Ripon, who succeeded Lytton, and it was a reform attempt rather than a repressive measure.

Where students lose marks in Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Putting Ilbert Bill under Lytton

    Mixing the Viceroys.

    Wrong working

    Lytton introduced the Ilbert Bill.

    Right working

    Ripon, 1883.

    Do this: Lytton: Press and Arms Acts.

    Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

  • Mistake: Confusing Phule with Rammohan

    Mixing the societies.

    Wrong working

    Phule founded the Brahmo Samaj.

    Right working

    Phule: Satyashodhak Samaj; Rammohan: Brahmo Samaj.

    Do this: Pair name with society.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Saying Naoroji founded the Congress

    Naming the wrong person; Naoroji only presided over the 1886 session.

    Wrong working

    Naoroji founded the Congress.

    Right working

    A. O. Hume founded it in 1885; Naoroji only presided in 1886.

    Do this: Hume 1885.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Listing only one contribution

    Not reading any two.

    Wrong working

    Phule opened a school.

    Right working

    Give two clear contributions.

    Do this: Count points.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Always give the year with the society.
  • Name the Viceroy with each policy.
  • For the Press, mention newspapers and three effects.

Practice questions on Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Name the founders of the Arya Samaj and the Satyashodhak Samaj. [2]

    Hint

    D and P.

    Answer

    The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875 and the Satyashodhak Samaj by Jyotiba Phule in 1873.

  2. Q2 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    How did the economic policies of the British contribute to the growth of nationalism? [4]

    Hint

    Drain, handicrafts, revenue.

    Answer

    The drain of wealth, explained by Dadabhai Naoroji, impoverished India. Cheap machine-made goods ruined handicrafts, heavy land revenue and debt hurt peasants, and famines killed millions. Indians were also kept out of higher posts. Since all classes suffered, they began to see British rule as the common cause of their poverty.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Give two contributions each of Jyotiba Phule and Swami Vivekananda. [4]

    Hint

    Two each.

    Answer

    Phule opened a girls' school in Pune in 1848 and founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to fight caste discrimination. Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 for service and education and won respect for Indian culture at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    State the immediate objectives of the Indian National Congress. [4]

    Hint

    Four objectives.

    Answer

    To promote friendly relations among nationalist workers from different parts of the country; to build national unity regardless of caste, religion or province; to formulate popular demands and present them to the government; and to train and organise public opinion.

  5. Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    "The Grand Delhi Durbar and the Vernacular Press Act, though different, produced the same result." Examine. [5]

    Hint

    Anger and unity.

    Answer

    The Grand Delhi Durbar of 1877 was a lavish ceremony held during a severe famine, and the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 restricted Indian-language newspapers. One showed insensitivity to Indian suffering and the other discriminated against Indian opinion. Both angered educated Indians and convinced them that the government put British interests first, which pushed them towards organising for political rights.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who wrote Poverty and Un-British Rule in India?Show answer

    Dadabhai Naoroji.

  2. 2.When was the Vernacular Press Act passed?Show answer

    1878.

  3. 3.Who founded the Arya Samaj?Show answer

    Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

  4. 4.Where did Vivekananda speak in 1893?Show answer

    The Parliament of Religions, Chicago.

  5. 5.In which city, and under whom, did the Congress meet in 1886?Show answer

    Calcutta, under Dadabhai Naoroji.

  6. 6.Which Viceroy was in office during the Ilbert Bill?Show answer

    Lord Ripon.

Growth of Nationalism: Reformers, the Press and the Indian National Congress: frequently asked questions

Who founded the Indian National Congress?

Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, in 1885.

What was the Vernacular Press Act?

A law of 1878 restricting Indian-language newspapers.

Which newspapers helped nationalism?

The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Bengalee, Kesari, Maratha and Indian Mirror.

What was the drain of wealth?

The flow of India's wealth to Britain as salaries, pensions, interest and profits.