Final answer:
Nationalist groups, the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, significantly influenced Indian nationalism by advocating for self-rule, political reforms, and eventually the idea of separate nations for Hindus and Muslims, which led to the push for Indian independence from British rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nationalist groups such as the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League played a significant role in promoting Indian nationalism and the struggle for independence in the early 20th century. The INC, founded in 1885, aimed to achieve self-rule and was known for advocating peaceful protest and political reforms like ending unfair taxation and removing industrial barriers. In contrast, the Muslim League, established in 1906, sought to protect Muslim interests and eventually advocated for the creation of a separate Muslim state, leading to discussions about the partition of India into two separate nations, Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.
During World War I, Indian troops demonstrated their loyalty and valor, fostering a sense of optimism for increased rights post-war. However, Britain's reluctance to offer substantive reforms spurred the nationalist movement. By the enactment of the Government of India Act in 1935, which granted significant autonomy to Indian provinces, the groundwork was being laid for India's eventual autonomy, although complete independence was still to come. The role of these nationalist groups was central in shaping political strategy and raising mass consciousness for the anti-colonial resistance against British imperialism, setting the stage for India's independence movement.