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Synopsis This book is not merely or even mainly concerned with unraveling the mystery which has so long aims at a comprehensive study of the growth of modern politics in India, from the organization of the Bengal Landholders’ Society in 1838 to the birth of the Congress in 1885. It analyzes Indian reactions to the Western impact, particularly to British rule and Christianity. It throws new light on the causes and consequences of the revolt of 1857. It examines the factors which contributed to the growth of a pan-Indian nationalism. It discusses at length the increasing Indian discontent with British policies, the crystallization of Indian demands and the changing modes of political agitation and organization in the country. It shows how, by the late 187-0s, sufficient modernization had taken place in India to provide conditions for the creation of a national organization on the conventional model, how efforts in that direction had already begun to be made and how the occurrence of political crises of systemic magnitude and the emergence of the right leadership during the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon (1880-1884) led to the successful launching of the congress in December 1885.