Early Dalit Movements in Modern India and their Significance

Abstract

The Dalit initiated to form formal voluntary associations much along the lines of pressure groups, early in the 20^th Century, existing in Indian politics. Calcutta, being the metropolis of the British Empire, was the greatest centre of commercial and Christian missionary activities in India. The people in this city were inspired by the example of the societies formed for the beneficial purposes by the Europeans in the town, like the Asiatic society of Bengal in 1784, the Calcutta School Book Society in 1817, the Calcutta School Society in 1818 and the Agricultural and Horticultural Society in India in 1820. The early associations founded in India were mere interest groups who put pressure on the British government to fulfill their demands in a very simple manner. In this series, the first interest group was founded in India with the name of the Landholders’ Society at a public meeting held in the town hall of Calcutta on 19^th March, 1838. This meeting was attended by over two hundred Zamindars and a few Anglo-Indians which rose to its gathering of about five thousand participants in its meeting held in the end of 1838, where a petition was drafted to submit to the British against the resumption of rent-free lands. It was the beginning of modern politics in India. The rapid spread of the English education also generated some new ideas of public spirit and patriotism. The young men left college with the ideas of the political degradation of the people of India and very ardent desires to raise themselves and their fellow-countrymen above their fallen state. Gradually, a few such political associations got a ground in Bengal which became significant in Indian politics during the late 19^th and the early 20^th Century.