With the beginning of the national movements, various humanists imbued with the spirit of nationalism appeared in the socio-political scenario of India. They influenced the common people by their ideals and principles. Theses humanists became the national leaders in Indian struggle for independence. These leaders sought to reform India not only politically, but also wanted to remove the socio-cultural abuses, which infected the then society of India. Imbued with the spirit of Renaissance, these national leaders gave the political movements in India a social color. These leaders induced a new dimension to the nationalist struggle of India.

Ram Mohan Roy - Ram Mohan Roy is popularly known as the father of Indian renaissance. He sought to remove the socio-political abuse in India. He worked hard for the liberation and education of the women. His chief contribution was the abolition of sati. He aspired to have a modern India with rational and scientific outlook.

Dadabhai Naoroji: - Dadabhai Naoroji was generally popular as the Grand Old man of India. He sought to reform the socio-political structure of India. He exposed the exploitative nature of the British. He propounded the drain of wealth theory to expose the exploitative nature of the British government.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Gokhale was an early Indian champion for public education. He worked among the common people to encourage education and public development. Gokhale actively spoke against ignorance, casteism and untouchability in Indian society. He sought for friendship between the Hindu and Muslim communities of India.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak - Bal Gangadhar Tilak was popular as the uncrowned monarch of India. Tilak played a leading role in organizing the nationalist movement in India. Tilak was also remembered as the father of the extremist movement in India. He was also the first to demand Swaraj or self Government in India.

Lala Lajpat Rai - Lala Lajpat Rai is popularly known as Sher-I-Punjab. He was a philanthropist and a social reformer. He strongly condemned the mendicant policy of the moderates. He was an extremist. He was a staunch believer of Hindu Muslim Unity. Lajpat Rai also desired for the educational, socio-economic and the political upliftment in India.

Mahatma Gandhi - Mahatma Gandhi was popular in the name of Bapu. He dominated the political scene of India from 1919 to 1948. He aspired for independence completely in a non-violent way. His message of truth and ahimsa had profound influence on humanity. Under his leadership there was a considerable s influence in the expansion of the constructive activities of the Congress.

Jawaharlal Nehru - Jawaharlal followed the political philosophy of Gandhi. However he had a broad outlook and the petty nationalism in India appeared very s narrows to s him. He was a socialist and planned for a social economy. He headed the National Planning Committee appointed by the Congress in 1939. Later he became the Chairman of the Planning Commission after independence.