Q.9 What were the differences between the ‘moderates’ and the ‘extremists’? Why were the ‘extremists’ more popular than the ‘moderates’ ?
Ans:
| Aspect | Moderates | Extremists |
| Leadership | Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, W.C. Bonnerjee, Pherozeshah Mehta | Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai |
| Ideology | Liberalism, gradualism, constitutionalism | Radicalism, direct action, mass mobilization |
| Approach | Peaceful and constitutional methods (petitions, dialogues, legal reforms) | Aggressive and revolutionary methods (boycotts, Swadeshi, mass protests) |
| Faith in British Rule | Believed in the providential nature of British rule; sought reforms | Rejected British rule; aimed for complete independence (Swaraj) |
| Economic Critique | Focused on economic nationalism and drain theory | Linked economic exploitation to political subjugation |
| Mass Participation | Limited to educated elites; no mass mobilization | Emphasized mass participation and public agitation |
| Goals | Reforms within the British framework (e.g., expanded legislative councils) | Complete self-rule (Swaraj) and expulsion of British rule |
| Methods | Petitions, speeches, articles, and constitutional demands | Boycotts, strikes, Swadeshi movement, and direct confrontation |
| Attitude Towards British | Trusted British sense of justice; sought partnership in the empire | Distrusted British intentions; viewed them as exploiters |
| International Influence | Influenced by Utilitarianism and British liberalism | Inspired by global anti-colonial movements (e.g., Japan, Ethiopia) |
| Key Movements | Economic critique, Indianisation of civil services, legislative reforms | Swadeshi, Boycott, National Education, and mass agitation |
| Outcome | Laid the foundation for organized political struggle | Brought urgency, mass participation, and radicalism to the freedom struggle |
| Example of Demands | Abolition of Indian Council, Indianisation of civil services, budget reforms | Complete independence, boycott of British goods, Swadeshi industries |
The ‘extremists’ were more popular than the ‘moderates’ Because
- The extremists emphasised the mobilisation of people against foreign rule by launching
political movements
- The extremists were ready to suffer imprisonment, deportation and other physical suffering for the sake of mobilising the masses for struggle against foreign rule.
- They saw struggle against foreign rule as a full time activity and devoted their whole life for it
- The demonstrations, processions undertaken by the extremists brought about an involvement of the common people in agitations against British rule.
- They also made use of popular symbols like Shivaji, and religious symbols like God Ganapati and Goddess Kali for mobilising the people
- Thus, under the Extremist leadership, the Indian National Movement gradually began to acquire a mass character. However, the extremists could not fully exploit the potential of mobilised people or of their radical methods like boycott and passive resistance. They were successful in arousing the urban middle and lower classes, apart from mobilising the peasants and workers.
| Source : Book NCERT : Arjun Dev : Chapter :16 : NIOS: Page Number 153 PDF Link |
| Extra Info : Role of the Revolutionaries The revolutionary movement in India could not survive the harsh measures initiated by the British against its leaders. Bhagat Singh and his fellow revolutionaries were tried for the murder of Saunders in the Lahore Conspiracy Case and were hanged on 23 March 1931.Chandrasekhar Azad was killed in a shooting encounter with the police at Allahabad in February 1931. Surya Sen was arrested in February 1933 and hanged.Many other revolutionaries were arrested and sentenced to jail; some were sent to the Andaman Jail. The revolutionaries could not sustain their activities because they failed to get a consistent and active support of the people and failed to develop a base among the Indian masses.Moreover, their use of violence as a political weapon gave a justification to the British to counter them by using more violence. The revolutionaries failed in achieving their long-term goal of armed mass revolution against the British. Nevertheless, the selfless sacrifice of the revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad , Surya Sen and hundreds of others gained for them unparalleled popularity among the people. Many, however, did not agree with their method of using violence for achieving independence |