Impact of Western Ideas:
Dr. R.C.Majumdar said, "Nationalism is one of those concepts which are easy to understand, but difficult to define in precise terms".Where Mill defines it as;
"A portion of mankind is said to constitute a nationality if they are united among themselves by common sympathies which do not exist between them and any others, which make them co-operate with each other more willingly than with the other people, desire to be under the same Government, and desire that it should be Governed by themselves or a portion of them exclusively."
Such a feeling was not prevail ant at the commencement of British rule. True nationalism is based on patriotism and love of liberty in general.These ideas were developed in India by the impact of Western Education and culture. The first manifestation of it is seen in Raja Rammohan Roy's passionate love of liberty which "made him take interest in, deeply sympathise with, all Political movements all over the world that had for their object the advancement of popular freedom." His international feelings for the freedom of the people of the world is well illustrated by several incidents, such as the people of Naples were crushed by the Holy Alliance in 1821.
( Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples. Naples is known internationally for its rich history, art, culture, architecture, music, and gastronomy, and has played an important political and cultural role on the Italian peninsula and beyond throughout its 2,800-year existence.)
The Raja also gave a public dinner at the Town Hall in Calcutta on the establishment of constitutional Government of Spain.
During his visit to England, though suffering from some injuries in his leg, he insisted on visiting to French frigates who were flying the tricolour flag. He had an unflinching faith in the French Revolution and English Radicalism.
