It means that people began to believe that they were all a part of the same nation and discovered some unity, which bound them together.

(i)  Main cultural processes:

1.   Figures or images helped create an image with which people could identify the nation. Devotion to this mother figure came to be seen as evidence of one's nationalism

(a)   It was with the growth of nationalism, that the identity of India was associated with the image of &m at Mate. 

(b)  This image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhvav, who wrote the song 'Vandemataram' in his novel Anandamath.

(c)  "Then Rabinctranath'lagore painted the famous image of Bharaat Mata. He was moved by the Swadeshi movement.

(d)  In this painting Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure; she is calm, composed divine and spiritual.

(e)  In subsequent years, the image of Bharat Mata acquired many different forms as it circulated in popular prints and was painted by different artists.

(f)  Devotion to this mother figure came to be seen as evidence of one's nationalism.