Moderates and Extremists in Congress

1. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress

What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

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Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto
Extremists' lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
Foundation of Muslim League
Aurobindo Ghosh's inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress
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The main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907 was the fundamental disagreement between the Moderate and Extremist factions over the methods of political struggle and the pace of reform. The Extremists had lost faith in the Moderates’ approach of constitutional petitions and negotiations with the British Government, viewing it as ineffective and too slow.
The Surat split occurred primarily due to ideological differences regarding strategy and goals between the Moderates (led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and the Extremists (led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal – the ‘Lal Bal Pal’ trio).
Specific issues leading to the split included disagreements over the resolution on Swaraj (self-rule), Boycott, Swadeshi, and National Education adopted at the Calcutta session in 1906, and the election of the Congress President for the Surat session. The Extremists wanted Tilak or Lajpat Rai as president, while the Moderates managed to elect Rash Behari Ghosh. Lord Minto’s policies and the foundation of the Muslim League in 1906 were significant developments of the time but were not the direct main cause of the INC split itself, though the political climate influenced the growing divide.

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2. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the

Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’?

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Swadeshi Movement
Quit India Movement
Non-Cooperation Movement
Civil Disobedience Movement
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The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908), which emerged in response to the Partition of Bengal, intensified existing ideological differences within the Indian National Congress. The ‘Moderates’ preferred constitutional methods and dialogue, while the ‘Extremists’ advocated for passive resistance, boycott of foreign goods and institutions, and mass mobilisation. These differences culminated in the Surat Split of 1907, formally dividing the Congress into these two factions.
The Swadeshi Movement provided the context and immediate catalyst for the fundamental disagreements between the Moderate and Extremist wings of the Indian National Congress regarding the methods and goals of the national movement, ultimately leading to the split at the Surat session in 1907.
The Quit India Movement (1942), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) were significant phases of the Indian independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. While these movements also saw internal dynamics within the Congress, the primary split between Moderates and Extremists is historically associated with the period of the Swadeshi Movement and the Surat Split.

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3. Which one of the following statements about the moderate leaders of th

Which one of the following statements about the moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress is *not* correct ?

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They criticized the British for drain of wealth from India
They advocated boycott of foreign goods
They ignored the issue of exploitation of Indian rural people by the zamindars
They comprehended the vital role played by India in the imperial economy of Britain
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The moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress (1885-1905) primarily believed in constitutional methods like petitions, prayers, and protests within the framework of British rule. They focused on administrative reforms and representation. Advocating for a boycott of foreign goods was a strategy that gained prominence during the Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908), which was led by the Extremist faction of the Congress, not the early Moderates.
Moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, while critical of British policies, trusted in British justice and sought reforms through dialogue and gradual steps. Their main contributions included exposing the economic exploitation of India (drain theory) and demanding increased Indian participation in administration and legislative councils.
The Swadeshi and Boycott movements were characterized by a more assertive and mass-based approach, advocating for self-reliance and active resistance against British economic dominance through the boycott of foreign goods and promotion of indigenous products. This marked a significant shift from the methods of the early Moderates.

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4. Which one of the following statements about Bipin Chandra Pal is

Which one of the following statements about Bipin Chandra Pal is correct?

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He was a member of the moderate group of Congress.
He was a member of the extremist group of Congress.
He was the Minister of Defence in the first Government of independent India.
He was the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
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The correct option is B) He was a member of the extremist group of Congress. Bipin Chandra Pal was one of the prominent leaders of the ‘Extremist’ faction within the Indian National Congress.
The Indian National Congress split into two main factions in the early 20th century: the Moderates and the Extremists. The Extremists advocated for more radical methods like Swadeshi, Boycott, and passive resistance to achieve self-rule (Swaraj), rather than just constitutional petitions and requests favoured by the Moderates. Bipin Chandra Pal, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, formed the famous ‘Lal Bal Pal’ trio, who were leading figures of the Extremist movement.
Options C and D are factually incorrect. Bipin Chandra Pal was a nationalist leader during the freedom struggle, not a minister in the first government of independent India (formed in 1947), nor a Chief Minister of West Bengal. He was a key figure *before* India’s independence.

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5. Which one of the following is not a political method of the moderates

Which one of the following is not a political method of the moderates in the National Movement ?

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Overthrow of alien rule
Constitutional agitation
Slow, orderly political progress
Mobilisation of public opinion
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Overthrow of alien rule was not a political method of the moderates in the National Movement.
– The Moderates (circa 1885-1905) believed in achieving political progress through constitutional means, petitions, prayers, and protests within the legal framework provided by the British government.
– Their methods included holding meetings, sending petitions and memoranda to the British Parliament and government officials, and using the press to educate and mobilize public opinion.
– They sought reforms within the existing political structure and aimed for self-government gradually achieved within the British Empire, not its complete overthrow.
The idea of the complete ‘overthrow of alien rule’ became more prominent with the rise of the Extremists (like Lal, Bal, Pal) who advocated for Swaraj as complete independence and used more assertive methods like boycott and passive resistance, and revolutionary nationalists who aimed for violent overthrow.

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6. Which one of the following was not a demand made by the Congress

Which one of the following was not a demand made by the Congress moderates?

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Universal adult franchise
Repeal of the Arms Act
Extension of Permanent Settlement
Higher jobs for Indians in the army
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Universal adult franchise was not a demand made by the Congress moderates.
The early Congress moderates (roughly 1885-1905) primarily sought constitutional reforms, including a larger share for Indians in the administration and legislative councils, but based on limited franchise (often property or education based), not universal adult suffrage. Universal adult franchise became a core demand of the nationalist movement later.
The moderates did demand the repeal of discriminatory laws like the Arms Act. They also advocated for the Indianization of services and higher jobs for Indians, including in the army. While the demand regarding the extension of Permanent Settlement was not universally supported and had complexities, it was sometimes part of the discourse among certain sections of the Congress. However, universal adult franchise was clearly beyond the scope of the moderate demands of that era.

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