Causes responsible for the beginning of national awakening in India: 

1. Social and cultural renaissance: 

In the sphere of social and cultural activities, modern renaissance in India formed the background of the development of nationalism in India. 

2. Influence of British administration: 

The British policies were opposed because the Britishers exploited India in economic and cultural fields. There were various frequent revolts against the British policies between 1837 and 1857. They included the citizens’ uprising, the peasants’ uprising and the uprising of the Naga Sadhus. 

3. The freedom struggle of 1857: 

In this war against British imperialism, the Indian rulers of the native state, the army and the Indian citizens all co – operated whole – heatedly.

4. Economic exploitation of Indians: 

Indians had considerable discontentment against the British rulers due to their economic exploitation. The British rulers destroyed Indian ancient handicraft industry and trade. The British exported raw material from India and after making finished products imported them in India and sold them at very high price. 

5. Political unity of India: 

After the establishment of British rule throughout India, the entire country came under one central government. Due to this, common ruler and laws were implemented at all places. Due to this, political unity was established in the country and the national movement gained momentum. 

6. Influence of the contemporary European movements: 

The freedom struggles in European countries, viz. France, Greece, Italy and Ireland, etc. encouraged Indians. European nationalism positively influenced the growth of Indian nationalism. 

7. Influence of western education: 

In 1835, on the advice of Macaulay, the British government in India started imparting education through English medium. The English government wanted to destroy Indian culture, civilization and national sentiment completely, but it had an adverse effect and English education proved to be an indirect boon for national movement in India. 

8. Development of speedy transportation and means of communications: 

Keeping in mind administrative facilitation, the objective of military protection, economic expansion and activities regarding exploitation of Indian trade and industry, the British rulers spread a network of roads and railway lines. But all this resulted in decline in geographical boundaries among-st Indians and they mutually started establishing contact with one outer. In this way, these modes organised Indians and provided momentum to the national movement. 

9. Influence of Indian newspapers: 

The British government established printing press in various parts of India and started publishing cheap literature and newspapers. This was an attempt to educate Indians towards western thought. Indians also started publishing newspapers associated with national movement. Indian newspapers became the reflection of Indian nationalism and a medium to educate the Indians. 

10. The English people adopted policy of racial discrimination against Indians: 

They kept Indians deprived of high posts in administration and military. Various other such misdeeds of the British also resulted into the discontentment of Indians.