In 1907 the first split of the Indian National Congress occurred at
Surat Split (1907) refers to the splitting of the Indian National Congress into 'Moderates' and 'Extremists' after a violent clash at the session. Chidambaram Pillai and Sri Aurobindo and the moderates were led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta and Surendranath Banerjee.