Moderates and Extremists in Congress

Total Questions: 39

1. Which of the following international events influenced the course of the national movement in India before the advent of Mahatma Gandhi? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

(1) Italian-Abyssinian War, 1898

(2) Boxer Movement in China

(3) Revolutionary Movement in Ireland

(4) Victory of Japan in the Russo-Japanese War

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:The Italian-Abyssinian War (in which the Italian colonial power was defeated), the Boxer movement against the imperialists in China during 1899-1901, and Japan’s victory over Russia influenced the direction of the national movement in India before the advent of Mahatma Gandhi.

Among these, Japan's victory over Russia in 1905 had the most impact. Japan had proved militarily superior by defeating Czarist Russia in 1905, dispelling the false illusion that the white race was invincible.

2. The protest method of moderate leaders of the Congress was? [48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre)2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Constitutional agitation
Solution:The methods employed by the two groups (Moderates and Extremists) of Congress were different in their tempo and approach. Congress split into two different groups at the Surat Session of Congress in 1907.

While the moderates had faith in the efficacy of Constitutional agitation and appealing to the British sense of justice and fair play, holding conferences, making speeches, passing resolutions, and sending deputations to England, the Extremists had no faith in the benevolence of British public or Parliament. Extremists had faith in the concept of passive resistance.

3. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of 'moderates' and 'extremists'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (a) Swadeshi Movement
Solution:Surat split (1907), refers to the split in the Congress party into two groups: 'Moderates' and 'Extremist.' Moderates believed in the policy of settlement of minor issues with the Government by deliberation, strike, and boycotts to force their demands.

The moderates opposed the resolutions on Swaraj (self-Governance), Swadeshi National Education and boycott of foreign goods but extremists were not in favour of these. Hence, the difference of opinion between moderates and extremist finally reached to split in the Congress at the Surat Session (1907).

4. Most of the moderate leader hailed from: [43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (a) Rural areas
Solution:During the era of liberal politics Dadabhai Naoroji, Firoz Shah Mehta, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Chandra Banerjee and Surendranath Banerjee were the moderate leaders who hailed from urban areas.

The domination of prosperous and middle-class scholars like barristers, doctors, engineers, journalists and literary people was found during this period.

The title and high designation charmed them. These representatives of Congress hailed from metropolitan cities and had no connection with common people.

5. Who of the following continuously from 1904 onwards emphasized on the grant of ‘self-rule’ to India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (d) Dadabhai Naoroji
Solution:In 1904, first time Dadabhai Naoroji demanded ‘Swaraj,’ (Self Rule) or Self-Government in International Socialist Congress, for India and continuously emphasized on the grant of Self Rule in India. In his presidential address in 1906 he demands ‘Swaraj’ (Self Rule) at INC session.

6. Which one of the following was not an extremist? [44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (d) G.K. Gokhale
Solution:Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a prominent social reformer of India who founded an organization to work for the relief of underprivileged. He led the moderate nationalists in the early years of the Indian Independence Movement.

As an influential and respected member of the Indian National Congress, the leading Nationalist organization in the pre-independence India, Gokhale advocated moderate and Constituted methods of agitation and gradual reform.

7. Who among the following was not an outstanding leader of extreme Nationalism? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Solution:Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the social and political leaders during the Indian Independence Movement against the British rule in India. He was a senior leader of INC, founder of the Servants of India Society. He was not a leader of extreme nationalism.

8. Who among the following was not an extremist nationalist leader? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (d) G.K. Gokhale
Solution:Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the social and political leaders during the Indian Independence Movement against the British rule in India. He was a senior leader of INC, founder of the Servants of India Society. He was not a leader of extreme nationalism.

9. Who accused Indian National Congress of practising ‘politics of prayer, petition and protest’: [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2002]

Correct Answer: (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Solution:The first two decades of INC is described in history as a moderate era. Among some of the prominent moderate leaders were Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Mahadev Govind Ranade, Feroz Shah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Anand Mohan Bose.

They had a sense of confidence in British justice and their generosity. Their aim was not aggressive nationalism for attaining independence. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, raised extremist ideology. B.G. Tilak accused moderates of believing in constitutional method and favouring the policy of protest, prayer, and petition.

10. Who accused Indian National Congress of practising politics of, pray and petition and protest? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Mains) 2002,2005]

Correct Answer: (a) B.G. Tilak
Solution:The first two decades of INC is described in history as a moderate era. Among some of the prominent moderate leaders were Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Mahadev Govind Ranade, Feroz Shah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Anand Mohan Bose.

They had a sense of confidence in British justice and their generosity. Their aim was not aggressive nationalism for attaining independence. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, raised extremist ideology. B.G. Tilak accused moderates of believing in constitutional method and favouring the policy of protest, prayer, and petition.