In answer I say if I have understood the lesson of Indian history
correctly, I consider that from ages past there was a movement of
unifying the whole of India and I think through the many vicissitudes
of Indian history, in the time of the Hindus, in the time of Mahomedan
rule and now English rule, throughout the many vicissitudes that
one idea stands out prominently viz., with each success, with every
failure, India was growing more and more and becoming herself. I do not
believe that in the old times in the ancient history of our country,
there ever was one united India--India was never one whole under the
Hindus at any time. I hold in great reverence and veneration all the
activities of ancient India. India was great, but the great Indian
nationality was in the making. We have profited by what was done in the
ancient days, we have inherited all their culture but it is for us to
widen that culture for the evolution of the great Indian nation. That
day, gentlemen, is fast approaching. I ask you to consider critically
the history of India.