Nationalism is a modern movement. Throughout history people have been attached to their native soil, to the traditions of their parents, and to established territorial authorities; but it was not until the end of the 18th century that nationalism began to be a generally recognized sentiment molding public and private life and one of the great, if not the greatest, single determining factors of modern history. Because of its dynamic vitality and its all-pervading character, nationalism is often thought to be very old; sometimes it is mistakenly regarded as a permanent factor in political behaviour. Actually, the American and French revolutions may be regarded as its first powerful manifestations. After penetrating the new countries of Latin America it spread in the early 19th century to central Europe and from there, toward the middle of the century, to eastern and southeastern Europe. At the beginning of the 20th century nationalism flowered in the ancient lands of Asia and Africa. Thus the 19th century has been called the age of nationalism in Europe, while the 20th century has witnessed the rise and struggle of powerful national movements throughout Asia and Africa.

Nationalism is a change in people's understanding of who they were, and what defined their identity and sense of belonging, it is a sense of patriotism among the citizen of a country.

1 the desire of a group of people who share the same race, culture, language, etc. to form an independent country
जाति, संस्‍कृति, भाषा आदि की समानता के आधार पर एक स्‍वतंत्र राष्‍ट्र-बनाने की जन-भावना
2.
a feeling of love or pride for your own country; a feeling that your country is better than any other
राष्‍ट्र-प्रेम की भावना, राष्‍ट्रीयता; अपने राष्‍ट्र को अन्‍य से श्रेष्‍ठ बनाने की भावना, राष्‍ट्रवाद