Question

Which of the following statements is/are true with reference to the beliefs of early nationalists?

• A. They believed that the only way to achieve self-governance was to violently overthrow the colonial rulers.
• B. They believed that public petitions and prayers would appeal to British sentiments of justice.
• C. They felt that British rule had had a positive impact on the Indian subcontinent.
• D. Nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji declared that despite knowing about the poverty in India, Britishers were apathetic to the suffering of the masses.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B They believed that public petitions and prayers would appeal to British sentiments of justice.
C They felt that British rule had had a positive impact on the Indian subcontinent.

The early nationalists believed in the method of petition and prayer as they believed that the British had an acute sense of justice and fairness. Many of them also thought that British rule had led to several important developments in the subcontinent such as the building of railway lines, the telegraph, and exposure to western education. They believed that the British were not fully aware of the state of affairs in India, and if they were made to understand the extent of problems plaguing the subcontinent, they would take appropriate action.