Political Institutions in Bengal
Raja Rammohan Roy was the first promoter of political movements in Bengal. He was a man influenced by western ideas. He was the first to draw the attention of the British toward Indian problems. It is believed that many liberal sections of the Charter Act of 1836 were the result of his efforts. However, the credit for forming the first political organization in Bengal went to his associates, when he formed the Bangabhasha Prakashan Sabha in 1836.
A. Zamindari Association:
In March 1838, the Zamindari Association, also known as the Landholders Association, was formed by Dwarkanath Tagore to protect the interests of the landlords. The Zamindari Association was the first political association in India, which initiated organized political efforts. It was the first to adopt the path of constitutional demonstration for the fulfillment of its objectives.
B. British India Society:
Another political assembly was formed in April 1843, the Bengal British India Society by William Adam, whose aim was to inculcate the feeling of nationalism among the people and encourage political education. Society tried to find solutions by considering the difficulties and sorrows of all sections of the society under the influence of British rule. In 1851, the Zamindari Association and the Bengal British India Society merged and formed a new organization called the British Indian Society. It sent an application to the British Parliament appealing that some of its suggestions be included in the new charter of the company like:
- Establishment of a separate legislature with popular objectives.
- Salary reduction of upper-class bureaucrats.
- Abolition of salt tax, excise tax, and postage.
The Act of 1853 made a provision to nominate 6 new members in the Legislative Council of the Governor-General to assist in law-making. This resulted in partial success of these suggestions offered by the Association.
C. East India Association:
In 1866, Dadabhai Naoroji formed the East India Association in London. Its purpose was to make Britain aware of the problems and demands of the people of India and to prepare public support in England in favour of the people of India. Later, its branches were opened in different parts of India.
D. Indian Association of Calcutta:
In 1875, Sisir Kumar Ghosh founded the Indian League, whose objective was to awaken the feeling of nationalism among the people and to encourage political education. Soon in 1876, the Indian League was replaced by the Indian Association of Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjee and Anandamohan Bose. Both of them were against the narrow and pro-zamindar policies of the British Indian Association. The Indian Association of Calcutta was one of the important organizations of the predecessor of the Indian National Congress. Its main objectives were as follows:
- To prepare strong public opinion in the context of the then political system.
- To establish unity among the people of India for a common political program.
- Branches of the Association were opened at many places in Bengal and also at many places outside Bengal. The association kept its membership fee very low to attract people from the lower-income group.
Political Associations Before Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in December 1885. However, before INC, many political organizations were established in different parts of India and abroad. The political institutions that were established in India in the first half of the 19th century were mainly led by the rich and influential class. The nature of these institutions was local or regional. Through various petitions and applications, they placed the following demands before the British government:
- Administrative reforms
- Promote the participation of Indians in administration
- Spread of education
- Social reforms
Although, the political institutions that were formed in the country in the second half of the 19th century were mainly led by the Upper class, over time middle class also became part of it. Various people of this class such as lawyers, doctors, journalists, teachers, etc. provided strong leadership to these political organizations, all of them gave fulfillment and relevance to the demands of these institutions by delivering competent leadership.
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