Difference Between Extremists and Moderates: Indian National Congress, Independence, Nationalism and More!

Safalta Expert Published by: Harshita Pathak Updated Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:31 AM IST

Highlights

At the Surat Session of Congress in 1907, the Congress broke into two factions: moderates and extremists, which became known as the 'Surat Split.' In this section, we compare the leadership of Congress's moderates and extremists.

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India spent a very long period fighting valiantly for its independence. Without the contributions of the numerous leaders who carried on the fight over the years, it would not have been possible.
The British brought modernism to India, yet many of its policies drew harsh criticism. It was possible for both extreme and moderate nationalists because of the Indian Renaissance, global upheavals, and the idea of nationalism. The Indian National Congress was established by AO Hume while Lord Duffering was the governor general. W C Banerjee presided over the organization's first meeting, which was held in Bombay in 1885. The "Surat Split" occurred during the 1907 Surat Session, when the Congress split into moderates and extremists.In this section, we compare the leadership of Congress's moderates and extremists. If you are preparing for competitive exams and are looking for expert guidance, you can check out our monthly FREE Current Affairs Ebook- Download Now.
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Table of content

Who were the Extremists?

The Indian national movement reached its most radical stage at the turn of the 20th century. A militant nationalist drive dominated political action during the Indian national movement's peak period of intensity. Extremism was prevalent from 1905 through 1918. Examples of radical leaders include Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Extremism or violent nationalism then emerged. Its expansion was facilitated by a number of factors, including:

  • The actual character of British rule was revealed. Famines and plagues were common. The Government was refusing to give in to the Moderates' crucial requests.
  • There was a greater sense of self-respect as a result of the Moderates' emphasis on educating the populace. People grew more informed and self-assured in their political positions and behaviours.
  • With the growth of knowledge came the spread of nationalism. It also emphasised the country's economic situation and underemployment.
  • There was discontent among the youth. They were dissatisfied with the rate at which progress was being made.
Moderates introduced new modes of struggle, which eventually resulted in the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements. They aided in reaching a broader audience. Their doctrine was inconsistent, but all of the leaders believed in the engagement of the masses. 

You can also read this article in Hindi here!

Who were the Moderates?

The Early Nationalists, also referred to as the Moderates, were a group of political figures in India from 1885 until 1907. Their arrival marked the start of the organised national movement in India. Famous moderate leaders include Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta. They believed that Britons lacked knowledge. They reasoned that the situation would become better if the Rulers were made aware of it. They tried to educate, unite, and create a strong public opinion in order to accomplish this. 

They were progressive, able to mobilise the populace, make modern concepts popular, and create a political foundation from which to expand the conflict. They adopted a methodical, methodical strategy that produced sustained political advancement.

Also read the Difference Between Ancient, Medieval and Modern History here!

Difference between the Extremists and the Moderates?

The manner the two freedom warriors battled was markedly different. Regardless of ideological and political disagreements, their contributions to the liberation movement cannot be underestimated. Also, one should note that, despite having their differences, both the groups held respect for each other's methods because both were fighting with the same major intention: Independence.
Basis Moderates Extremists
Phase 1885-1905 1905-1920
Aim
1. Aimed at administrative and constitutional reforms.

2. Wanted more Indians in the administration and not to end British rule.

3. They were secular in their attitudes, though not always forthright enough to rise above their sectarian interests. They knew the exploitative nature of British rule but wanted its reforms and not expulsion.

1. Aim of getting Swaraj

2. Wanted to end the tyrannical rule of the British.

Ideology
1. They believe in the efficacy of peaceful and constitutional agitation.

2. They had great faith 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. The demands of extremists were aggressive.

2. They believed in atmashakti or 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 the Indian aware.

Methodology
1. They follow the principles of 3P: Petition, Prayer and Protest.

2. They believed in cooperation and reconciliation.

1. They believe in militant methods.

2. They follow the principle of atmashakti or self-reliance as a weapon against domination.

3. Method of Non-Cooperation.

4. They advocated democracy, constitutionalism and progress.

Leaders A.O. Hume. W.C. Banerjee. Surendra Nath Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroze Shah Mehta. Gopalakrishna Gokhale. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Badruddin Tyabji. Justice Ranade and G.Subramanya Aiyar Lala Lajpat Rai, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosem Rajnarayan Bose, and  Ashwini Kumar Dutt
Social Support Zamindars and Upper middle classes in towns Educated middle and lower-middle classes in towns
Contribution
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. Mass movement

3. Spread of national education

4. Upliftment of downtrodden

5. Nationalism

6. Support revolutionary movements

7. Rise of communalism

8. Encouraged co-operative organisation

9. Set up a charitable association for rural sanitation, preventive police duties, regulation of fairs and pilgrim gatherings for providing relief funds during famines and other calamities.


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How did Extremists and Moderates influence people?

The Swadeshi and Boycott campaigns emphasised the distinction between the two. Unlike previous rallies and movements, these two included students and women as participants. Arts, literature, science, and industry were also heavily used in the movements. They were not restricted to the political realm. Since the mobilisation of the masses, many individuals have actively participated in different types of political activities. Future fights were built on these two movements, which cleared the path for Extremists to take on leadership roles. 

The moderates had their fair share of conflict and leadership. They helped launch several political and social initiatives, as well as an organised independence effort. They were unable to keep up with the rate of conflict and ideological change, necessitating the necessity for new leaders. Even though extremists lacked consistency and were fragmented, they were able to increase their social base. The ideology of extremism energised the youth. People progressed from inaction to noncooperation, and from moderation to political radicalism. Extremism resulted in revivalism and obscurantism, but it also transformed the people' attitude. Despite their defeats, both Moderates and Extremists contributed significantly to the liberation cause.

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Who were more successful Moderates or extremists?

The moderates were more successful in the short run as the Indian National Congress adopted a gradualist approach towards the freedom movement that initially sought Dominion status within the British empire.

Why did the Congress split into Moderates and extremists?

The Indian National Congress was also split into two different groups called Moderates and Radicals because Moderates wanted to go against the British peacefully but Radicals wanted to go against the British violently, but the aim of both was to expel or suppress the British Empire from India.

What were the methods of extremists?

The methods adopted by the extremists were boycott of foreign goods, use of swadeshi goods, public meetings, passive resistance and national education.

Who led the extremists?

Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal (the first three called Lal-Bal-Pal leading the extremist cause in Punjab, Bombay and Bengal respectively.) Other leaders included Aurobindo Ghosh, Rajnarayan Bose, A K Dutt, V O C Pillai.