5. Short Notes
a) Modernist Theories on Nationalism
Modernist theories of nationalism argue that nationalism is a product of modern society, emerging in the context of industrialization, print capitalism, and centralized states. Scholars like Ernest Gellner, Benedict Anderson, and Eric Hobsbawm are key proponents of this view. Gellner emphasized that nationalism arises to match cultural homogeneity with industrial society’s needs. Anderson described nations as “imagined communities” created through shared media and narratives. Hobsbawm viewed nationalism as a constructed tradition, often manipulated by elites for political ends. In the Indian context, modernist theories help explain how colonial education, railways, and press shaped a collective national consciousness. However, critics argue that these theories underplay emotional and cultural elements of nationalism.
b) Swadeshi Movement
The Swadeshi Movement was launched in 1905 as a response to the partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon. It aimed at boycotting British goods and promoting indigenous industries to attain self-sufficiency and express national resistance. Key leaders included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai. The movement encouraged the use of khadi, establishment of national schools, and indigenous enterprises. Cultural expressions through songs, literature, and public festivals strengthened national identity. Though the movement declined after 1908 due to repression and internal differences, it marked a significant phase in India’s struggle for economic and political self-rule. It also laid the groundwork for future mass movements like Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience.