What was the attitude of Indian industrialists towards the Indian National Congress in the pre- independent era?
In the second half of the 19th century an important development was the established of large-scale machine based industrial in India. It led to the emergence of two new classes industrialists and capabilities and the modern worker class. The attitude of these new classes were favourable towards the National Movement from the very beginning. It is an important aspect that without government help and in opposition to British policy the Industrial Development in took place.
There were no aid or strategically help from the government of India to newly found industries. Thus, the Indian industrialists were of view that, it is impossible to influence British government. The British rulers of India did not conceive of an industrialized India basically. Therefore, industrialists helped nationalists in the fight against British rule an alternative.
- Congress’s boycott and swadeshi movement led to the growth of Indian industries and encouraged the Indian industrialists. As a part of their support to Swadeshi Movement P.C.Roy established Bengal Chemicals industry in 1906 and V.O.C.Chidambaram Pillai started Steam Navigation Company.
- Many Indian industrialists like Jamanlal Bajaj joined congress and remained exchequer of congress for his life time.
- FICCI was established by Indian industrialists in 1927 and supported congress directly.
- Though in later years congress turned socialist to some extent, this did not show any diversion of Indian industrialists from patriotism and pro-congress attitude of Indian industrialists.
In the third phase (1930-1947), the capitalist class grew rapidly, increasing its strength and self confidence. This was achieved primarily through import substitution by edging out or encroaching upon areas of European domination, and by establishing almost exclusive control over new areas thus accounting for the bulk of the new investments made since the 1920s.
Close to independence, indigenous enterprise had already cornered 72% or 73% of the domestic market and over 80% of the deposits in the organised banking sector. The increasing radicalisation of the Congress, with the growing influence of Nehru, spurred the capitalist into becoming more active in the political field.
The fear of radicalisation of the national movement did not discouraged them. The prime motive of this class was the prosperity of their business, they were not against the freedom movement.
They supported Congress many times and also took its support. They realised that an Indian government is necessary for the industrial progress of India, but they were opposed to militant and revolutionary activities of the freedom fighters.
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