(i) Nationalism spread when people began to believe that they are all part of the same nation, when they discover some unity that binds them together.
(ii) There were variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured people’s imagination.
(iii) Allegory of Indian nation—Bharat Mata, helped create an image with which people can identify with the nation.
(iv) Devotion to this mother figure came to be seen as evidence of one’s nationalism. (v) It was essential to preserve folk traditions, folk tales in order to discover one’s national identity and restore a sense of pride in one’s part.
(vi) National flag designed by Gandhiji as Swaraj flag, represented the Gandhian ideal of self help. Carrying the flag, holding it aloft, during marches became a symbol of defiance.
(vii) Reinterpretation of past also developed the interest of people in nationalist histories.
