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.

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

Moderates primarily consisted of elite leaders who relied on english and western models because of  which they lacked mass support also their strategy to seek for gradual reforms did not aligned with the people frustrated by British raj’s exploitation in every domain and seeking for immediate resolution.

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 difference of opinion, methodology, background and ideology yet both aimed to achieve an independent India, both ideologies may not have achieved their desired goals but significantly laid the foundation work for other future movements by awakening people and teaching them to dream for independence as a result India saw many successful movements in future like Non cooperation movement and Quit India Movement which challenged the British Raj’s dream to control the land forever and compiled them to agree with the demands which moderates and extremists leaders had envisioned for.

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