Role Of Moderates and Extremists in India’s Path to Freedom

To understand role of moderates and extremists in India’s path to freedom we must first devlop a basic understanding of both the approaches and ideologies further the article will dwell more in contributions, challenges and results achieved from following both moderates and extremists pathways and their aftermath in Indian Independence.

MODERATES

Ideology – Moderates ideology was based on a belief in gradual change through legal reforms and collaboration with British authorities.
Aim – To achieve better treatment of Indians under British rule.
Approach – Included following legal course, dialogue between Moderates and British crown and moderate demands.

EXTREMISTS

Ideology – Extremists ideology was based on anti-colonialism and achieving independence.
Aim – To achieve self governance, cultural and financial independence.
Approach –  Use of radical methods and mass movements for an India for ‘Indians’.

Now after understanding about moderates and extremists ideology, aim, approach, we should make note of factional leaders associated with Moderates and Extremists in India ideologies and then we will discuss the notable and worthy contributions they made for the India’s Pathway to Freedom.

Polity Notes for UPSC

Devlopment of Moderates and Extremists in India

Moderate phase(1885-1905) –

Moderates were successful in contributing for awakening national sentiments among people, leaders like R.C. Dutt successfully brought out adverse impact of economic policies laid by British on Indian industry and Dadabhai Naroji highlighted it with his Drain Theory, which argued that Britain was draining India’s wealth and resources through colonial rule, also moderate leaders like A.O. Hume played an important role in formation of Indian National Congress(INC) for political dialogue with the British apart from the upper level talks and efforts, at the grassroot level Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society, aiming to train Indians to serve their country and work for upliftment of lower castes.

Pherozehah Mehta advocated for self governance and administrative reforms, Surendranath Banerjee founded Indian National Association and organized first Indian National Conference.

All these and other important efforts played crucial role in laying foundation for Indian National Movement through their emphasis on constitutional methods, dialogue and gradual reforms

Popular leaders from the moderate approach also had influenced Mahatma Gandhi, particularly in their initial strategies for achieving reforms through non-violent means which can be clearly seen from his work for the India’s Freedom. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was mentor of Mahatma Gandhi.

Extremists Phase(1905-1920)-

Extremist leaders were clear with the thought of attaining independence in every aspect and attain pride of India. They held successful mass mobilization like Swadeshi Movement advocated by Bipin Chandra Pal to promote Indian products , staging Simon Commission Protest led by Lala Lajpat Rai also in parallel to the public domain leaders started with secret societies to plan for their next steps groups like Jugantar in Bengal and Abhinav Bharat in Maharashtra are example of such groups.

Surat session in 1907 saw division of  INC in two factions – the Moderates and Extremists in India. Extremists leader demanded more radical action whereas the moderate leaders wanted to remain with their approach of legal and dialogue, which weakened the INC temporarily and showcased dissatisfaction with the moderate methods, also one reason for the dissatisfaction was Bengal Partition (1905) focusing to weaken the nationalist movement despite the approach being dialogue between British and Indian leaders, it could not be avoided which harmed the public sentiments.

Limitations of Moderates and Extremists in India

The moderates, comprised mainly of elite leaders who drew heavily from English and Western models, struggled to garner widespread support. Their approach, advocating gradual reforms, diverged sharply from the sentiments of a populace deeply aggrieved by British exploitation across all spheres, and yearning for more immediate solutions.

Moderate approach was able to achieve only certain concessions from British government like minor administrative reforms and increased representation in council but this was not sufficient for the growing demands for self-governance.

Such sentiments among both public and leaders lead to the shift from moderate to extremist approach. While the extremists gained mass support in their period they had to face severe repression by the British Authorities which made it hard to sustain its long term momentum, many extreme action were short-lived and failed to sustain for long also the risk to life by being associated with the ideology weakened public support at times.

The most important and significant limitation of Moderates and Extremists in India was alienation of one other, both aimed at achieving independence for the country but did not collaborated with each other, with help of extremists the moderates would have been in a better position to convey their ideas to masses and extremis with the moderate support could have planned for better future movements dealing well with the British repressions

Difference Between Moderates and Extremists in India

Though both moderates and extremists had differences of opinion, methodologies, backgrounds, and ideologies, they aimed to achieve an independent India. While both ideologies may not have achieved their desired goals, they significantly laid the groundwork for future movements by awakening people and encouraging them to aspire for independence. As a result, India witnessed many successful movements in the future, such as the Non-cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement, which challenged the British Raj’s aspiration to control the land indefinitely and compelled them to concede to the demands envisioned by leaders of both moderates and extremists.

Sharing is caring!