Revision Points- Moderates, Extremists, Passive and Active Resistance

An understanding of the differences between the moderates and the extremists of the Indian National Congress is important for a Civil Services aspirant as questions are repeatedly asked on this topic in the UPSC Prelims and Mains examinations. To know more about the UPSC Syllabus in detail visit the linked article.

Moderates, Extremists, Passive and Active Resistance – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

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Origin of the Moderates and Extremists of INC

The 1907 Indian National Congress (INC) session at Surat saw the formation of two factions with different ideologies and objectives. The period between 1885 – 1905 is knowns as the era of the moderates. The fact that the moderates were not able to achieve any notable goals was a bone of contention for many members of the INC. The partition of Bengal in 1905 was the catalyst that led to the rise of extremist in the INC.

Difference between Moderates and Extremists

We can differentiate between Moderates and Extremists on the basis of the below factors as outlined in the table.

Difference Between the Moderates and Extremist Factions of the INC

Factors Moderates Extremists
Ideology 1. They believed in the efficacy of peaceful agitation.

2. They believed in the British sense of justice and fair play.

3. They were inspired by the ideas of western philosophers like Mill, Burke, Spencer and Bentham. Moderates imbibed western ideas of liberalism, democracy, equity and freedom.

1. They were radical in their approach.

2. They believed in self-reliance as a weapon against domination.

3. Ideological inspiration was Indian history, cultural heritage, national education and Hindu traditional symbols. Hence, they revived the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals to arouse the masses.

4. They wanted to inculcate pride in India’s glorious culture to generate the spirit of nationalism. They invoked goddesses Kali or Durga for strength to fight for the motherland.

5. Guided by four principles: Swarajya, Swadeshi, Boycott of foreign goods and National education to make Indians self-aware of their national identity

Contributions 1. Economic Critique of British Imperialism

2. Constitutional Reforms and Propaganda in Legislature

3. Campaign for General Administrative Reforms

4. Defence of Civil Rights

1. Demand of Swaraj

2. Contributing to the rise of mass movements

3. The spread of nationalist education

4. Upliftment of the downtrodden

5. Support for revolutionary movements

6. Rise of communalism

7. Encouraged co-operative organisations

8. Installed charitable association for rural sanitations, preventive police duties, and regulated fairs and pilgrims gatherings to provide relief funds during famines and other calamities

Mass Base It was highly elitist. They belonged to an urban background, and most of the people lived in England. Most of the moderate leaders admired British political institutions. They were not against the British rule in India, but they were against the ‘Un-British’ character of the British rule in India. It was mainly urban-middle class. They believed in an India for ‘Indians’. They wanted to project the ‘cultural nationalism’ of India.
Methods Prayer, Petition, Persuasion and Philanthropy. Their demands were constitutional, and so was their agitation. Their methods were regarded as ‘Passive Resistance’. Their style of working revolved around boycott. Extremists were radical in terms of their approach, and believed in militant methods including but not limited to the assassination of key personnel.
Objectives Their objectives were related to self-government. The extremist demanded Swaraj or complete independence from British rule
Technique The Moderates believed that political connections with Britain were in India’s interest during that time and that the time wasn’t ripe for a direct challenge to British rule. The extremists believed in self-reliance as a weapon against domination. They promoted Swadeshi and boycott of foreign goods.
Faction Leaders Dadabai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, A.O. Hume Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghosh

Passive and Active Resistance of the Factions

  1. The theory of Passive Resistance was presented by Aurobindo Ghosh, who is known as the Father of Indian Extremism. Aurobindo Ghosh wrote two books, i.e. ‘New Lamps for Old’, and the other being, ‘Savitri’.
  2. In ‘New Lamps for Old’, Aurobindo explained the doctrine of ‘Passive Resistance’, i.e. doing something so that the Government could be held in check. In Savitri, he referred to India as ‘Bharat Mata’.
  3. Therefore, the emotional fervour of Aurobindo Ghosh was reflected in these two books. Barindra Ghosh, who was Aurobindo’s brother was a Revolutionary Nationalist and believed in ‘active resistance’. Barindra Ghosh raided an arms depot at Alipore and was subsequently arrested along with Aurobindo Ghosh. This was known as the ‘Alipore Conspiracy’ case, 1902. Thus both Aurobindo Ghosh and Barindra Ghosh were in jail.
  4. The famous lawyer, R. Das brilliantly defended Aurobindo Ghosh in the ‘Alipore Conspiracy’ case. Aurobindo was acquitted citing lack of evidence, but Barindra Ghosh was given imprisonment for life. After acquittal from the case, Aurobindo took retirement from active politics and settled in Pondicherry. Thus Aurobindo gave a new direction to extremism by adding a religious as well as an emotional fervour to it.

Online Quiz 2022

Also read other important Modern History articles:

Simon Commission Indian National Congress Sessions Non-Cooperation Movement Government of India Act 1919 Morley Minto Reforms
Governors General of Bengal & India Rowllat Act & Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Woods’ Despatch Charter Act 1813 Regulating Act 1773

Related Links:

India’s Independence Struggle Home Rule Movement Swadeshi Movement
UPSC Calendar 2023 Battle of Colachel Champaran Satyagraha
Government Exam Government Schemes IAS Eligibility

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