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Created page with "{{Short description|Indian nationalist leader and social reformer}} {{Infobox person | name = Surendranath Banerjee | image = Surendranath Banerjee.jpg | caption = Surendranath Banerjee | birth_date = 10 November 1848 | birth_place = Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India | death_date = 6 August 1925 | death_place = Barrackpore, Bengal Presidency, British India | nation..."

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{{Short description|Indian nationalist leader and social reformer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Surendranath Banerjee
| image = Surendranath Banerjee.jpg
| caption = Surendranath Banerjee
| birth_date = 10 November 1848
| birth_place = [[Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = 6 August 1925
| death_place = [[Barrackpore]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Politician, Educator, Social Reformer
| known_for = Early leader of the Indian independence movement
| notable_works = Founder of the [[Indian National Association]] and co-founder of the [[Indian National Congress]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Calcutta]], [[University College London]]
}}
'''Surendranath Banerjee''' (10 November 1848 – 6 August 1925) was an Indian nationalist leader, educator, and social reformer. Often referred to as the "Grand Old Man of India," he was one of the earliest and most prominent leaders of the [[Indian independence movement]]. Banerjee founded the [[Indian National Association]], which later merged with the [[Indian National Congress]], and played a significant role in the early phase of India's struggle for freedom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Surendranath Banerjee |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Surendranath-Banerjea |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Surendranath Banerjee was born on 10 November 1848 in [[Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency]]. He graduated from the [[University of Calcutta]] and later went to [[England]] to study at [[University College London]]. In 1869, he became one of the first Indians to pass the [[Indian Civil Service]] examination, but he was dismissed due to alleged procedural irregularities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Life of Surendranath Banerjee |url=https://www.historydiscussion.net/biographies/surendranath-banerjee/19008 |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Political Career ==
In 1876, Banerjee founded the [[Indian National Association]], the first political organization in India, which sought to unite Indians across regions and religions to demand political rights and self-governance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian National Association |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indian-National-Association |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

He was a key figure in opposing the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)]], leading widespread protests and the ''Swadeshi'' movement, which promoted the boycott of British goods.<ref>{{cite web |title=Partition of Bengal |url=https://www.history.com/topics/partition-of-india |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

=== Role in the Indian National Congress ===
Banerjee was one of the early leaders of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) and presided over its sessions in 1895 and 1902. He advocated for moderate approaches to India's independence, favoring dialogue and reforms rather than confrontation with the British.<ref>{{cite web |title=Surendranath Banerjee and the INC |url=https://www.thehindu.com/surendranath-and-indian-national-congress/ |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

=== Ministerial Role ===
In 1921, Banerjee was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council and later served as Minister of Local Self-Government, focusing on education and administrative reforms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ministerial Work of Surendranath Banerjee |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Surendranath-Banerjea |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Social Reforms ==
Banerjee was a staunch advocate for social reforms, including:
* Promoting [[education]] for Indians, especially women.
* Opposing [[caste discrimination]] and advocating for the rights of lower castes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Social Reforms by Surendranath Banerjee |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Surendranath-Banerjea |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>
* Campaigning for greater representation of Indians in the civil service.

== Legacy ==
Surendranath Banerjee's efforts laid the groundwork for India's freedom movement. Although his moderate approach faced criticism from later leaders like [[Mahatma Gandhi]], his contributions to uniting Indians and raising awareness of their rights remain significant.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legacy of Surendranath Banerjee |url=https://www.historydiscussion.net/freedom-movement/surendranath-banerjea-and-his-contribution-to-the-national-movement/ |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Writings ==
Banerjee authored ''A Nation in the Making'', an autobiographical account of his experiences and thoughts on India's political and social awakening.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Nation in the Making |url=https://archive.org/details/nationinmaking007218mbp |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Indian independence movement]]
* [[Partition of Bengal]]
* [[Indian National Association]]
* [[Indian National Congress]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Surendranath-Banerjea Britannica – Surendranath Banerjee]
* [https://archive.org/details/nationinmaking007218mbp A Nation in the Making – Full Text]

[[Category:Indian independence activists]]
[[Category:Social reformers]]
[[Category:Educators from India]]
[[Category:People from West Bengal]]
[[Category:1848 births]]
[[Category:1925 deaths]]

Surendranath Banerjee - Revision history