Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Introduce the answer by briefing about moderates and extremists
• Give Role of Moderates and Extremists in the National Movement
• Delve into their complementary and contradictory aspects
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The early phase of the Indian National Movement (1885–1907) was largely shaped by two major ideological strands within the Indian National Congress (INC): the Moderates and the Extremists.

• While the Moderates laid the foundation of constitutional nationalism, the Extremists brought mass mobilization and assertive demands to the forefront.

Body:

Role of Moderates in the National Movement

• Constitutional and Political Reforms: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta championed the cause of responsible government, Indian representation in legislative councils, and administrative decentralization.
  • Their tools were petitions, resolutions, deputations, and speeches, both in India and in Britain (e.g., formation of the British Committee of INC and the journal India in 1890).
• Economic Critique of British Rule: The Drain Theory, articulated by Naoroji, exposed the economic exploitation under colonialism.
  • They advocated for policies to support agriculture, Indian industry, irrigation, and education.
• Social Reform and Civil Rights: Emphasized freedom of speech, press, and association, and worked to eradicate social evils and improve primary education.
  • Gokhale’s Servants of India Society aimed to spiritually and intellectually elevate Indian society.
• Nation-Building: Though confined largely to the middle class, the Moderates laid the intellectual and ideological base for Indian nationalism.

Role of Extremists in the National Movement

• Assertive Nationalism and Demand for Swaraj: Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal rejected the Moderates’ conciliatory tone and declared Swaraj as a birthright.
  • Their politics were emotionally charged and rooted in cultural nationalism, invoking symbols like Shivaji and Ganapati.
• Mass Mobilization: The Swadeshi Movement (1905–08), launched in response to the Partition of Bengal, was a key turning point. It included:
  • Boycott of foreign goods
    Promotion of indigenous industry (Swadeshi)
  • National education
  • Passive resistance
• Revival of Indian Traditions: They reinterpreted Indian philosophy to justify political action. For instance, Tilak’s Gita Rahasya interpreted the Gita as a guide to selfless action for national service.
• Linking Nationalism with Popular Sentiment: Though non-violent, they viewed petitioning as weak, and emphasized emotive nationalism to awaken the masses.

Were Their Methods Complementary or Contradictory?

• Complementary Aspects
  • Common Goal: Both aimed at Indian self-rule, though the path diverged.
  • Foundational Work: Moderates prepared the ground through awareness and institution-building; Extremists expanded the scope to include masses.
  • Ideological Influence: Later leaders like Gandhi synthesized both traditions—drawing constitutional morality from Gokhale and mass politics from Tilak.
• Contradictory Aspects
  • Methods of Engagement:
    • Moderates: Constitutional, cautious, dialogue-based.
    • Extremists: Assertive, direct-action oriented.
  • Attitude Toward British Rule:
    • Moderates saw reform within the Empire as feasible.
    • Extremists believed in ending colonial rule entirely.
  • Public Perception: Extremists accused Moderates of being too loyal to British interests, while Moderates feared the confrontational approach would provoke repression.

Conclusion

The Moderates and Extremists, though ideologically distinct, were not mutually exclusive but rather represented different phases in the evolution of Indian nationalism. As Gandhiji later demonstrated, mass mobilization (from Extremists) and moral high ground (from Moderates) could be harmonized. The learning from this early phase laid the strategic and philosophical base for the Gandhian era that followed.