Moderates and Extremists in Congress Notes with PDF
These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Moderates and Extremists in Congress. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.
- PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
- Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
- Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
- Free PDF to download.
You'll Read
Indian National Congress: Moderates vs. Extremists
1. Overview of the Split
- Date of Split: The formal division occurred at the Surat Session of the Congress in 1907.
- Primary Reason: Differing opinions on the objectives and methods of the Swaradeshi Movement (1905-1907), specifically regarding Swaraj (Self-Rule), Swadeshi, and Boycott.
- Shift in Dominance: The Indian National Movement came to be dominated by the Extremists after 1906.
2. Ideological Differences & Methods
| Aspect | Moderates | Extremists |
|---|---|---|
| Core Method | Constitutional Agitation (prayers, petitions, protests). | Passive Resistance and more direct, aggressive action. |
| Goal | Self-Government (as first demanded by Dadabhai Naoroji in 1904). | Obtaining Swaraj (Self-Rule) by aggressive means. |
| Criticism | Practiced the “politics of prayer, petition, and protest” (a phrase attributed to Tilak). | Accused by Moderates of being too radical and disruptive. |
| Social Background | Primarily from Urban Areas (lawyers, doctors, journalists; wealthy or middle-class). | Drew from a broader base, using cultural symbols to mobilize the masses. |
3. Key Leaders
| Faction | Leaders | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Moderates | Dadabhai Naoroji | First to demand “Self-Government” for India (1904). |
| Gopal Krishna Gokhale | Established the ‘Servants of India Society’ in 1905. | |
| Bombay Triumvirate | The famous trio: Firozshah Mehta, K.T. Telang, and Badruddin Tyabji. | |
| Others | Surendranath Banerjee, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Banerjee. | |
| Extremists (Lal-Bal-Pal) | Bal Gangadhar Tilak | The most prominent leader. Criticized Moderates, calling Congress a “Begging Institute”. |
| Lala Lajpat Rai | Known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ (Lion of Punjab). Considered Italian revolutionary Mazzini his political guru. | |
| Bipin Chandra Pal | A key leader and ideologue of the Extremist faction. | |
| Aurobindo Ghosh | A leading extremist and key figure in the Swadeshi Movement. |
4. Muslim Community’s Response to Extremism
- The Indian Muslim community, in general, was not attracted to the extremist movement.
- Primary Reason: The Extremists’ strategy of using Hindu symbolism and religious figures (e.g., Ganpati Festival, Shivaji) was seen as exclusionary.
- Aurobindo Ghosh explicitly stated that Hinduism was the only way to achieve independence, which further alienated many Muslims.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A Detailed Profile
1. Titles & Reputation
- “Lokmanya”: Meaning “Beloved leader of the People”; a title earned upon his release from prison in 1898.
- “Father of Indian Unrest”: A title given by British author Valentine Chirol. Tilak sued Chirol in England for this remark but lost the case.
2. Methods & Ideology
- Use of Religion: Used religion as a political weapon to unite people and foster national pride. He was not a communalist; his use of religion was for patriotic and nationalistic purposes.
- Public Celebrations: Started the public celebration of the Ganpati Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) in 1893 and the Shivaji Festival in Maharashtra.
- End of an Era: His guidance is credited with ending the era of “prayer and petition” in Indian politics.
3. Legal Troubles & Imprisonment
- The Rand Murder Case (1897):
- Mr. Rand, the assistant collector of Pune, was killed by the Chapekar brothers.
- Tilak was charged with incitement to murder for his articles in his newspaper, Kesari, which criticized Rand’s brutal methods.
- He was imprisoned for 18 months.
- 1908 Sedition Case:
- Sentenced to six years in jail for writing seditious articles in Kesari.
- Imprisoned at the Mandalay Fortress in Burma.
- The famous Sanskrit scholar Max Muller pleaded for mercy for Tilak during his trial.
- Impact of 1908 Imprisonment: Led to the first political strike in Bombay by the laborers of the Bombay cloth mill.
4. Literary Work
- While imprisoned in Mandalay, Tilak wrote the book ‘Gita Rahasya’ (The Secret of the Gita).
5. Death & Legacy
- Date of Death: August 1st, 1920.
- Significance: His bier was lifted by Mahatma Gandhi and Shaukat Ali (a prominent Muslim leader), and a tribute was offered by Maulana Hasrat Mohani, symbolizing his broad respect.
Supplementary Facts
- Rise of Terrorism: Revolutionary terrorism was gaining popularity around the time of the split (1907).
Know More About Moderates and Extremists in Congress: